9/24/26 – At Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger’s town hall meeting in Kingwood on 9/22/26, Tom Broad, the chair of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 Board, gave an update on the progress of its Northpark expansion project including its purpose, timeline and the project’s next phases.
Tom Broad, Chair of Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 speaking to town hall meeting about Northparkexpansion
Phase One Now 75% Complete
Broad characterized Phase One (US59 to Russel Palmer) as 75% complete. “We ought to be substantially complete with that phase by the end of the first quarter of 2027,” he said.
“This first project has been a long time coming,” Broad continued, “considering that the magnitude of what we were asked to do – construct an all-weather evacuation route out of Kingwood that doesn’t flood.”
He added, “I will give you an example of the difficulty. It took us two years and 11 months to construct a storm sewer drainage system that meets federal standards and that will prevent flooding along North Park. This is something that Kingwood residents have requested for years – an evacuation route out of Kingwood.“
Other major routes out of Kingwood, such as Kingwood Drive, Hamblen, West Lake Houston Parkway Woodland Hills and Mills Branch can flood during high-water events. During Harvey, many people became trapped by rising floodwaters. Below are several ReduceFlooding.com file photos.
Looking west at Kingwood High School and Kingwood Drive (left) during Harvey. Photo by Jim Balcom of Hamblen Road during Harvey evacuationRescue boats evacuating people along West Lake Houston Parkway at Kingwood Town Center during HarveyPhoto by Kilee Northrup. Looking south down Woodland Hills Drive, south of Kingwood Dr. toward Deer Ridge Park and stables. Taken on Wednesday August 30, 2017.
Need to Finish Detention Basins First to Compensate for Additional Impervious Cover
Broad explained why the project started at US59 and is moving east. “We needed to complete that part of the project first because our bridge over the railroad tracks at Loop 494 is essentially six additional lanes of impervious cover. We couldn’t build that bridge until we had a place for all the water to go,” he said referring to multiple drainage improvements.
Stormwater management became a major challenge. “We even had to install stormwater pipes under the railroad tracks. That was a life experience! But we got it done, and we are moving into the exciting phase of constructing the bridge.”
Complexity of Drilling 90-Foot Deep Piers in Middle of Major Traffic
That has proven tricky, according to Broad. “Council Member Flickinger has committed to keeping two lanes of Northpark open in both directions at all times,” he said. “But we still need enough area for a construction zone for the contractor.”
“That’s not easy to do. You’ve noticed that the intersection of Loop 494 and Northpark has still not been opened. Our contractor needs that area to build the bridge columns.”
“These bridge columns have very deep underground piers. We had to drill 90 feet below ground. Once those bridge columns are secured, we can open the intersection. Soon, we will begin constructing the bridge columns and the caps that go on top of the columns that support the bridge beams,” he said.
Caps over 90-foot deep piers now under construction
“In October, we expect to start hanging bridge beams,” said Broad. “We will also begin installing street lights on top of the bridge and begin painting the bridge. That activity, of course, will trigger closing lanes as well. But by November, most of the major construction should be completed…” Then he quickly added, “…at least everything east of the new bridge. We’ll have a six lane roadway with sidewalks and street lights for the first time.”
Street Lights Scheduled by Thanksgiving
Broad says that the new street lights won’t be turned on until Thanksgiving. “There are three circuits. The first one on the east side of Russell Palmer, will be illuminated first. Then the middle section closer to King’s Mill goes on second. And the third circuit on the bridges will have to wait until the bridge is constructed.”
Phase 2 and Detention Basin South of St. Martha
Phase Two of the Northpark Expansion goes from Russell Palmer eastward to Woodland Hills. “We are at the 30% design benchmark for Phase Two,” said Broad. “And this fall we will begin acquiring the right of way.”
In concluding his remarks, Broad said, “We’ve created something new for our budget this year. This is the Regional Detention Basin Project. It will be located where Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch meet. This basin when complete will hold approximately 90 acre feet of water, which will help reduce downstream flooding on both the Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch.”
To learn more about the project, Broad referred the audience to Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project pages. “You can see plans for Phase One, Phase Two and the Detention Basin as well as a three-week lookahead schedule,” he said.
He also invited the public to visit board meetings at the Kingwood Community Center at 8 AM, nine months a year. Usually, they’re second Thursdays, but this month, the meeting is today (the fourth Thursday). So, check the website for exact days.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DSC_6029.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2026-09-24 06:09:012026-09-24 10:24:05TIRZ Provides Northpark Update at Kingwood Town Hall
9/23/26 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger’s October 2026 town hall meeting featured three speakers on the project to add more floodgates to the Lake Houston dam.
Coastal Water Authority (CWA) Board Member and former State Representative Dan Huberty introduced the topic and two other speakers:
In his opening remarks, Huberty emphasized the critical need to make sure that installation of new gates didn’t put the existing dam at risk because of the critical role it plays in providing water to millions of people of the region.
Olinger began his portion of the presentation with Hurricane Harvey statistics that demonstrated the scale of the challenge. Harvey became the flood of record for the Houston region.
Olinger said that 2.6 million acre feet of water flowed over the dam during Harvey. That translates to 847 billion gallons…enough water to refill the lake 19 times. And enough to supply all 7.7 million people in the entire Houston region for 5.5 years.
At the peak, 491,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) flowed over the dam. That’s enough, he said, “to fill an empty Lake Houston 19 times.”
He also said that, at the peak rate, the empty lake could refill in 3.3 hours.
The highest water surface elevation during the flood was 53.1 feet…more than. 10 feet above the normal pool level.
The Plan
Next, Olinger described the current release capacity of Lake Houston and plans to increase it. To the east (right) of the 3,100 foot long Ambursen spillway are four small gates that can help lower the lake level.
Those gates can currently release water at about 10,000 cubic feet per second. That’s one fifteenth the release rate of Lake Conroe.
So, Black & Veatch is examining ways to increase that rate. Originally, the plan was to modify the spillway. But that was too risky because of the 75-year-old concrete. So now, the plan is to modify the earthen, eastern portion of the dam at the location shown below (yellow box) approximately 500 feet east of the spillway.
Proposed New Gates
Mueller began his portion of the presentation by talking about objectives and design constraints.
Engineers had to reduce upstream flood risk without increasing downstream risk.
He said, “That got us to what is an 11-gate structure that has the ability to release – in a controlled manner – about up to 84,000 cubic feet per second from Lake Houston. That is roughly eight times the current capability of the existing gates.”
Mueller also described an “approach channel” on the reservoir side that allows water to fill in behind the new gates and a “discharge channel” on the downstream side that will dissipate energy during the release.
Eighty-four thousand cubic feet per second exceeds the release rate from Lake Conroe during Harvey, which was 79,000 cubic feet per second. The gates can be used to lower the lake in advance of or during storms to offset inflows from the East and West Forks.
The recommended structure consists of reinforced concrete piers with 11 steel gates mounted on radial arms. It also contains a bridge on top of the structure for operations and maintenance.
Flood-Risk Reduction Benefits of New Gates
Mueller said the design should reduce the height of flooding by 1.8 feet during both a 100-year storm and a repeat of Harvey. And that should be enough to reduce the number of structures flooded by +/- 20% in each scenario.
Secondary Benefit of New Gates
The existing Lake Houston dam dates back to the early 1950s. Mueller said that the new gates will also provide flexibility to the CWA and City when it comes to future repairs of the dam.
“It’s in need of more or less constant repair and or rehabilitation,” said Mueller. “The gate project gives Coastal Water Authority the ability to divert flows around … work on the concrete structure.”
Mueller added that the gates will also help divert water around work when CWA eventually replaces the dam.
To date, $120 million in funding has been committed. Of that, $80 million comes from the State legislature. Plus, the City and Harris County Flood Control have each pledged $20 million.
That leaves a funding gap of $195 million. Where will the additional money come from? According to Olinger, the current proposed plan may or may not qualify for FEMA aid. The uncertainty has to do with the benefit/cost ratio that FEMA demands and whether the project benefits can meet FEMA’s threshold.
Olinger said that CWA is working closely with the City’s Government Relations Group and Representative Cunningham to fill the gap.
Current Projected Timeline
In addition to the cost growing over time with changes in project scope, the timeline has slipped. Assuming funding can be found, and the Army Corps grants a permit, construction could start in 2028 and finish in 2030, four years from now.
Can It Be Done?
Huberty, a former state legislator, closed the presentation on an optimistic note. He said, “We’ve got the smartest people on the project. I’ve got the support of the Mayor, support of the City Council. Support of our legislative body. And certainly in conversations that we’ve had with the Governor’s office, Lieutenant Governor’s office, and Speaker’s office.”
He continued, “They’re well aware of where we’re at in our planning. They’re well aware of where we are at in our requirements. We have had multiple conversations. We just need to execute upon this strategy.”
In explaining why the project has taken so long, he said, “You can’t ask for what you don’t know you need. Now we know where we’re at. And we’re very bullish as we go forward in executing on the project.”
Huberty also implied that NOT using FEMA funds might get the project done faster.
The next legislative session will definitely be important for the Lake Houston Area.
Locking Down Decisions that Will Determine Funding Needs
However, no one is dredging yet. And everyone wishes that could happen sooner rather than later. But still, the Board is far ahead of where they were at this time last month. And within the next month or two, they should be able to start making decisions that will shape the future of district.
Until now, the Board has been gathering information it needs to make those decisions.
Where are the sediment accumulations?
How much needs to be removed?
How will they separate sand from silt?
How much will that cost?
Where will the sediment be sold?
How will it be sold?
How much will it sell for?
How much will it cost to transport?
Should they outsource operations?
Who will staff the organization?
Who will keep the books and offer legal services?
How much can sales offset operating costs?
How much will they need in appropriations?
Who will file for the federal tax ID required to open a bank account?
Where will they bank?
Should they adjust their fiscal year to coincide with the state’s appropriation cycle?
Etc.
If you’ve never started a business before, it’s hard to appreciate the complexities. It feels as though everything needs to be done yesterday.
January Deadline Driving Funding Request
The meeting today lasted two hours. The discussion was lively.
State Rep. Charles Cunningham outlined the legislative process for funding.
Cunningham emphasized that he needed a cost estimate for any legislative funding request by January 14, 2027, at the latest. He also requested the numbers earlier if possible, so that “we can start working on the rider.”
It will likely take until September 2027 before any state appropriation becomes final. It would then take another month or two for money to work its way from the State Treasury to the Texas Water Development Board and back to the Dredging District.
Flickinger then offered to provide start-up seed money from his City Council District service funds. And Cunningham admonished, “We can’t let grass grow under our feet.”
Members of the Board’s Dredging Committee, Bill Simpson (background and Derek St. John (right)conversing with Cunningham about funding.
The Big Question: What Percent of Costs Can Be Offset?
Long term, it would behoove everyone to get the Dredging District as close to break even as financially possible.
A web search for dredging case studies where the beneficial sale of spoils totally offset operational costs came up empty.
However, I did find several where sales offset a large percentage of the costs. So getting the right answers to the litany of questions above is vital. It will determine the long-term sustainability of dredging operations on Lake Houston. And that could reduce flood risk and save lives.
Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District’s logo adopted today. Design by Board Member Kathleen Todd Jordan.
Next Meeting
The Dredging District meets every third Monday at 11 AM, at the offices of Partnership Lake Houston. So, mark October 19th on your calendar. The address is 110 W Main St, Humble, TX 77338.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/21/2026
3310 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_4819.jpeg?fit=1646%2C1469&ssl=114691646adminadmin2026-09-21 17:45:492026-09-21 18:33:37Cunningham, Flickinger Address Funding as Dredging District Board Gets Down to Business
TIRZ Provides Northpark Update at Kingwood Town Hall
9/24/26 – At Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger’s town hall meeting in Kingwood on 9/22/26, Tom Broad, the chair of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 Board, gave an update on the progress of its Northpark expansion project including its purpose, timeline and the project’s next phases.
Phase One Now 75% Complete
Broad characterized Phase One (US59 to Russel Palmer) as 75% complete. “We ought to be substantially complete with that phase by the end of the first quarter of 2027,” he said.
“This first project has been a long time coming,” Broad continued, “considering that the magnitude of what we were asked to do – construct an all-weather evacuation route out of Kingwood that doesn’t flood.”
He added, “I will give you an example of the difficulty. It took us two years and 11 months to construct a storm sewer drainage system that meets federal standards and that will prevent flooding along North Park. This is something that Kingwood residents have requested for years – an evacuation route out of Kingwood.“
Other major routes out of Kingwood, such as Kingwood Drive, Hamblen, West Lake Houston Parkway Woodland Hills and Mills Branch can flood during high-water events. During Harvey, many people became trapped by rising floodwaters. Below are several ReduceFlooding.com file photos.
Need to Finish Detention Basins First to Compensate for Additional Impervious Cover
Broad explained why the project started at US59 and is moving east. “We needed to complete that part of the project first because our bridge over the railroad tracks at Loop 494 is essentially six additional lanes of impervious cover. We couldn’t build that bridge until we had a place for all the water to go,” he said referring to multiple drainage improvements.
Stormwater management became a major challenge. “We even had to install stormwater pipes under the railroad tracks. That was a life experience! But we got it done, and we are moving into the exciting phase of constructing the bridge.”
Complexity of Drilling 90-Foot Deep Piers in Middle of Major Traffic
That has proven tricky, according to Broad. “Council Member Flickinger has committed to keeping two lanes of Northpark open in both directions at all times,” he said. “But we still need enough area for a construction zone for the contractor.”
“That’s not easy to do. You’ve noticed that the intersection of Loop 494 and Northpark has still not been opened. Our contractor needs that area to build the bridge columns.”
“These bridge columns have very deep underground piers. We had to drill 90 feet below ground. Once those bridge columns are secured, we can open the intersection. Soon, we will begin constructing the bridge columns and the caps that go on top of the columns that support the bridge beams,” he said.
“In October, we expect to start hanging bridge beams,” said Broad. “We will also begin installing street lights on top of the bridge and begin painting the bridge. That activity, of course, will trigger closing lanes as well. But by November, most of the major construction should be completed…” Then he quickly added, “…at least everything east of the new bridge. We’ll have a six lane roadway with sidewalks and street lights for the first time.”
Street Lights Scheduled by Thanksgiving
Broad says that the new street lights won’t be turned on until Thanksgiving. “There are three circuits. The first one on the east side of Russell Palmer, will be illuminated first. Then the middle section closer to King’s Mill goes on second. And the third circuit on the bridges will have to wait until the bridge is constructed.”
Phase 2 and Detention Basin South of St. Martha
Phase Two of the Northpark Expansion goes from Russell Palmer eastward to Woodland Hills. “We are at the 30% design benchmark for Phase Two,” said Broad. “And this fall we will begin acquiring the right of way.”
In concluding his remarks, Broad said, “We’ve created something new for our budget this year. This is the Regional Detention Basin Project. It will be located where Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch meet. This basin when complete will hold approximately 90 acre feet of water, which will help reduce downstream flooding on both the Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch.”
Thirteen people died along Ben’s Branch as a result of flooding during Harvey.
For More Information
To learn more about the project, Broad referred the audience to Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project pages. “You can see plans for Phase One, Phase Two and the Detention Basin as well as a three-week lookahead schedule,” he said.
He also invited the public to visit board meetings at the Kingwood Community Center at 8 AM, nine months a year. Usually, they’re second Thursdays, but this month, the meeting is today (the fourth Thursday). So, check the website for exact days.
Can’t attend but still have questions? Email info@lakehousonra.com.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/24/26
3313 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Lake Houston Gates Update
9/23/26 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger’s October 2026 town hall meeting featured three speakers on the project to add more floodgates to the Lake Houston dam.
Coastal Water Authority (CWA) Board Member and former State Representative Dan Huberty introduced the topic and two other speakers:
The Need
In his opening remarks, Huberty emphasized the critical need to make sure that installation of new gates didn’t put the existing dam at risk because of the critical role it plays in providing water to millions of people of the region.
Olinger began his portion of the presentation with Hurricane Harvey statistics that demonstrated the scale of the challenge. Harvey became the flood of record for the Houston region.
Olinger said that 2.6 million acre feet of water flowed over the dam during Harvey. That translates to 847 billion gallons…enough water to refill the lake 19 times. And enough to supply all 7.7 million people in the entire Houston region for 5.5 years.
At the peak, 491,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) flowed over the dam. That’s enough, he said, “to fill an empty Lake Houston 19 times.”
He also said that, at the peak rate, the empty lake could refill in 3.3 hours.
The highest water surface elevation during the flood was 53.1 feet…more than. 10 feet above the normal pool level.
The Plan
Next, Olinger described the current release capacity of Lake Houston and plans to increase it. To the east (right) of the 3,100 foot long Ambursen spillway are four small gates that can help lower the lake level.
Those gates can currently release water at about 10,000 cubic feet per second. That’s one fifteenth the release rate of Lake Conroe.
So, Black & Veatch is examining ways to increase that rate. Originally, the plan was to modify the spillway. But that was too risky because of the 75-year-old concrete. So now, the plan is to modify the earthen, eastern portion of the dam at the location shown below (yellow box) approximately 500 feet east of the spillway.
Proposed New Gates
Mueller began his portion of the presentation by talking about objectives and design constraints.
He said, “That got us to what is an 11-gate structure that has the ability to release – in a controlled manner – about up to 84,000 cubic feet per second from Lake Houston. That is roughly eight times the current capability of the existing gates.”
Mueller also described an “approach channel” on the reservoir side that allows water to fill in behind the new gates and a “discharge channel” on the downstream side that will dissipate energy during the release.
Eighty-four thousand cubic feet per second exceeds the release rate from Lake Conroe during Harvey, which was 79,000 cubic feet per second. The gates can be used to lower the lake in advance of or during storms to offset inflows from the East and West Forks.
The recommended structure consists of reinforced concrete piers with 11 steel gates mounted on radial arms. It also contains a bridge on top of the structure for operations and maintenance.
Flood-Risk Reduction Benefits of New Gates
Mueller said the design should reduce the height of flooding by 1.8 feet during both a 100-year storm and a repeat of Harvey. And that should be enough to reduce the number of structures flooded by +/- 20% in each scenario.
Secondary Benefit of New Gates
The existing Lake Houston dam dates back to the early 1950s. Mueller said that the new gates will also provide flexibility to the CWA and City when it comes to future repairs of the dam.
“It’s in need of more or less constant repair and or rehabilitation,” said Mueller. “The gate project gives Coastal Water Authority the ability to divert flows around … work on the concrete structure.”
Mueller added that the gates will also help divert water around work when CWA eventually replaces the dam.
Cost of Project and Funding Gap
Black & Veatch now estimates the cost of construction at $315 million. That’s $41 million more than the estimate from January 2026 ($274 million).
To date, $120 million in funding has been committed. Of that, $80 million comes from the State legislature. Plus, the City and Harris County Flood Control have each pledged $20 million.
That leaves a funding gap of $195 million. Where will the additional money come from? According to Olinger, the current proposed plan may or may not qualify for FEMA aid. The uncertainty has to do with the benefit/cost ratio that FEMA demands and whether the project benefits can meet FEMA’s threshold.
Olinger said that CWA is working closely with the City’s Government Relations Group and Representative Cunningham to fill the gap.
Current Projected Timeline
In addition to the cost growing over time with changes in project scope, the timeline has slipped. Assuming funding can be found, and the Army Corps grants a permit, construction could start in 2028 and finish in 2030, four years from now.
Can It Be Done?
Huberty, a former state legislator, closed the presentation on an optimistic note. He said, “We’ve got the smartest people on the project. I’ve got the support of the Mayor, support of the City Council. Support of our legislative body. And certainly in conversations that we’ve had with the Governor’s office, Lieutenant Governor’s office, and Speaker’s office.”
He continued, “They’re well aware of where we’re at in our planning. They’re well aware of where we are at in our requirements. We have had multiple conversations. We just need to execute upon this strategy.”
In explaining why the project has taken so long, he said, “You can’t ask for what you don’t know you need. Now we know where we’re at. And we’re very bullish as we go forward in executing on the project.”
Huberty also implied that NOT using FEMA funds might get the project done faster.
The next legislative session will definitely be important for the Lake Houston Area.
Click here to download a high-resolution PDF of the entire presentation.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/23/26
3312 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Cunningham, Flickinger Address Funding as Dredging District Board Gets Down to Business
9/21/2026 – The Lake Houston Dredging District Board, with the assistance of State Rep. Charles Cunningham and Houston District E City Council Member Fred Flickinger are getting down to business. One month after their first public organizing meeting, the Board has split up into committees, met with dozens of experts, outlined a business plan, explored funding, mapped out next steps and started to prioritize them.
Locking Down Decisions that Will Determine Funding Needs
However, no one is dredging yet. And everyone wishes that could happen sooner rather than later. But still, the Board is far ahead of where they were at this time last month. And within the next month or two, they should be able to start making decisions that will shape the future of district.
Until now, the Board has been gathering information it needs to make those decisions.
If you’ve never started a business before, it’s hard to appreciate the complexities. It feels as though everything needs to be done yesterday.
January Deadline Driving Funding Request
The meeting today lasted two hours. The discussion was lively.
Cunningham emphasized that he needed a cost estimate for any legislative funding request by January 14, 2027, at the latest. He also requested the numbers earlier if possible, so that “we can start working on the rider.”
It will likely take until September 2027 before any state appropriation becomes final. It would then take another month or two for money to work its way from the State Treasury to the Texas Water Development Board and back to the Dredging District.
Flickinger then offered to provide start-up seed money from his City Council District service funds. And Cunningham admonished, “We can’t let grass grow under our feet.”
The Big Question: What Percent of Costs Can Be Offset?
Long term, it would behoove everyone to get the Dredging District as close to break even as financially possible.
A web search for dredging case studies where the beneficial sale of spoils totally offset operational costs came up empty.
However, I did find several where sales offset a large percentage of the costs. So getting the right answers to the litany of questions above is vital. It will determine the long-term sustainability of dredging operations on Lake Houston. And that could reduce flood risk and save lives.
Next Meeting
The Dredging District meets every third Monday at 11 AM, at the offices of Partnership Lake Houston. So, mark October 19th on your calendar. The address is 110 W Main St, Humble, TX 77338.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/21/2026
3310 Days since Hurricane Harvey