The lengthy delays crossing the San Jacinto River on Interstate Highway 69 at rush hour are almost over. TxDOT originally expected repairs could take until September, but is now saying traffic will return to normal by early July.
Only a month ago, finishing repairs to IH-69 before September seemed like a distant dream. Now TxDOT is saying it will restore normal traffic sooner than expected.
That’s the good news. However, between now and then, the concrete spaghetti bowl over the river will become even more tangled as crews work on one lane after another to restore normal traffic flow. So make note of the following. Here’s the latest:
Motorists should expect traffic delays and are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes.
All closures are subject to cancellation or modification due to adverse weather.
Summary of What will Open When
The southbound mainlanes will be returned to their original condition by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018.
The southbound entrance ramp from Kingwood Dr. will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018.
The southbound exit ramp to FM 1960 will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018:
The northbound mainlanes will be returned to their original condition by 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02, 2018.
The Eastex HOV/Express Lanes between Kingwood Dr. and the Townsen Park & Ride will be returned to the original condition by 4:00 AM on Monday July 02, 2018.
The northbound entrance ramp from FM 1960/Townsen will be reopened by 5:00 AM on Tuesday, July 03, 2018.
Below, read how TxDOT will meet those deadlines.
Ongoing Traffic Closures at this Time
I-69 Eastex northbound entrance ramp from FM 1960/Townsen:Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Tuesday, July 03, 2018. Detour northbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.
I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.:Two left lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2018. Three mainlanes will remain open. Please refer to closure #9 below for closure details for the weekend of June 29 th thru July 2nd.
I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Kingwood Dr.:Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018. Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: One Left lane closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2018.Please refer to closure #12 below for closure details for the week of June 25 th thru June 29 th.
I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Kingwood Dr. and FM 1960:Two Right lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22. Three mainlanes will remain open. Please refer to closure #6 below for closure details for the weekend of June 22 th thru June 25 th.
I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramp to FM 1960:Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018. Detour southbound on the mainlanes to the exit ramp to Sorters McClellan Rd./Townsen/FM 1960. Follow the Southbound Frontage Rd. to Sorters McClellan Rd., Townsen or FM 1960.
I-69 Eastex HOV/Express Lanes between Kingwood Dr. and the Townsen Park & Ride: Total closure continuously through 4:00 AM on Monday July 02, 2018. Southbound Detour via the entrance from the Townsen Park and Ride. Northbound Detour via the exit at the Townsen Park and Ride.
Closures to restore Southbound Mainlanes
I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Northpark Dr. and FM 1960:One right lane closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21.
I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: One Left lane closed nightly from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21.
I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.:Total closure nightly between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM on Monday June 18, Tuesday June 19, Wednesday June 20 and Thursday June 21. Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramp to Sorters McClellan Rd./Townsen/FM 1960:Total closure continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday June 22 and 6:00 PM on Saturday June 23. Detour southbound on the mainlanes to the exit ramp to Will Clayton. Follow the Frontage Rd to the U-turn at Will Clayton; Follow the U-Turn at Will Clayton to the northbound frontage road. Follow the northbound frontage rd. to FM 1960, Townsen or Sorters McClellan Rd. An alternate detour is to exit at Kingwood Dr. and follow the southbound frontage rd. to Sorters McClellan Rd., Townsen and FM 1960.
I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.:Total closure continuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22 and 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 23. Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between FM 1314 and FM 1960:Multiple alternatelanes closed continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22 through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25. At least one mainlane will remain open.
I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Townsen and FM 1960: Left, (Inside), shoulder closed between 5:00 AM on Monday June 25 and 5:00 AM on Tuesday July 03.
Closures to Restore Northbound Mainlanes
I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.:One additional Left lane closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, Tuesday June 26, Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28.At least two mainlanes will remain open.
I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.:Four alternate lanes closed continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02. At least one mainlane will remain open.
I-69 Eastex northbound exit ramp to Loop 494/ Sorters McClellan Rd: Total closure continuously from 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02. Detour via the northbound mainlanes to the exit ramp to Northpark Dr.; U-Turn at Northpark Dr. and then follow the southbound frontage road to either Kingwood Dr. or Sorters McClellan Rd.
I-69 Eastex northbound exit ramp to Kingwood Drive:Total closurecontinuously between 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02. Detour via the northbound mainlanes to the exit ramp to Northpark Dr.; U-Turn at Northpark Dr. and then follow the southbound frontage road to either Kingwood Dr. or Sorters McClellan Rd.
Traffic Closures to Restore Frontage Roads
I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: Alternate Left lanes closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, Tuesday June 26 and Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28.
I-69 Eastex northbound frontage road between FM 1960 and Sorters McClellan Rd.: Two Left lanes closed nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on Monday, July 02, and Tuesday July 03.
Miscellaneous Traffic Closures for Clean Up and Demobilization
I-69 Eastex Turnaround Road from W Hamblen Rd to Hamblen Rd: Total closurecontinuously through 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 03. Detour from Hamblin Rd: Northbound on Loop 494 to Kingwood Dr.; Detour from McClellan Rd: Southbound on the Southbound Frontage Rd. to FM 1960.
I-69 Eastex Turnaround Road from W Hamblen Rd to Hamblen Rd: Total closure daily between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM between Thursday July 05 and Friday July 13. Detour from Hamblin Rd: Northbound on Loop 494 to Kingwood Dr.; Detour from McClellan Rd: Southbound on the Southbound Frontage Rd. to FM 1960.
Posted 6/19/2018 by Bob Rehak with thanks to Mark Mitchell for the information!
294 Days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2018-06-19 14:23:302018-06-19 16:46:18IH-69 Repairs Finish Sooner than Expected; Traffic Returning to Normal Soon
The Lake Conroe Association, which fought the temporary lowering of Lake Conroe, may find that it’s a blessing in disguise.
The TCEQ decided to allow the San Jacinto River Authority and City of Houston to lower Lake Conroe for six weeks by up to two feet during the peak of hurricane season. The SJRA will lower the lake to 199 feet if evaporation does not already reduce it that much.
Lowering Lake Could Facilitate Repairs, Help Fight Invasive Species
This should reduce the risk of flooding for people on both sides of the dam between August 15 and September 30. It could also give lakefront property owners an opportunity to repair shallow docks, retaining walls and other waterfront property.
Image of hydrilla, an invasive species, courtesy of USGS.
The Lower Colorado River Authority also urged their residents to use the 2017 drawdown as an opportunity to curb the growth of nuisance aquatic vegetation, such as hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil.
The Lake Conroe Association may find that lowering Lake Conroe helps in its fight against invasive aquatic vegetation. Battling hydrilla has been one of the group’s top priorities for more than forty years.
Opening of Dredging Bids Expected Later Today
Temporarily lowering Lake Conroe will provide a buffer against flooding for downstream residents who are currently fighting excessive sedimentation left behind by Hurricane Harvey. The sediment is blocking drainage ditches and exacerbating flooding.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to open bids today on its Emergency West Fork Dredging Project. The Corps has postponed the bid opening twice already to give bidders more time to resolve questions relating to the complex project. The earlier dates were May 31 and June 12. I will let you know as soon as I hear something. Once approved, the project is projected to take approximately six months to complete.
Update on Tropical Wave as of 6 a.m., 6/18/18
As of this morning, the level of Lake Conroe is at 200.59 feet. The level of the San Jacinto river at US59 is currently close to 41 feet, which is about 1.5 below normal, thanks to the City of Houston’s decision to lower the level of Lake Houston in advance of the approaching storm.
Height of San Jacinto River at US 59 according to USGS stream gage data.
However, with the tropical wave expected to stream moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico most of this week, both of those levels should increase.
The morning weather report from Space City Weather indicate that counties in the northern part of the Houston region could see rainfall accumulations from 1.2 to 2.4 inches today. The five day outlook calls for higher accumulations. However, Jeff Lindner of Harris County Flood Control says, “Thus far bands/waves of showers … have not trained over one particular area long enough to cause any problems.”
Currently, Main Risk is From Street Flooding
“Overall the current forecasted amounts of rainfall are likely to be handled by the creeks and bayous over the area as long as the rainfall continues to exhibit enough breaks allowing systems to drain. Grounds will slowly saturate as the rainfall totals add up leading to greater amounts of run-off as the event continues. While rises on area creeks and bayous will be possible, the main threat will be street flooding especially in any areas of intense rainfall,” says Lindner.
He indicates, though, that the risk of flash flooding has increased to “moderate” for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Downstream Residents Grateful
Residents that I talk to downstream of the Lake Conroe Dam are grateful for the decision to lower Lake Conroe temporarily. Many are still traumatized by Hurricane Harvey and repairing their homes from the flood it caused. They appreciate Lake Conroe residents who supported the lowering. While it may be a short-term inconvenience, it will give the Corps time to clear the river. Hopefully, it will also give residents of Lake Conroe time to repair their docks and renew their fight against invasive plant species.
Posted on June 18, 2018
293 Days since Hurricane Harvey
00adminadmin2018-06-18 08:08:562020-01-17 10:04:49Lowering Lake Conroe Temporarily Could Be Blessing in Disguise for Lakefront Property Owners
This morning, I received a press release announcing that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) had approved the joint decision by the City of Houston and the San Jacinto River Authority to temporarily lower the level of Lake Conroe during the peak of hurricane season. The lake will be lowered by two feet from 201 mean feet about sea level (msl) to 199 msl between mid-August and the end of September. This will provide buffer against flooding while the Army Corps of Engineers removes excess sediment from the West Fork deposited by Hurricane Harvey that is exacerbating flooding. Because this has legal implications and the Lake Conroe Association fought the lowering, I’m reprinting the entire text of the press release below…with special thanks to Houston City Council Member Dave Martin, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and SJRA Board Members Kaaren Cambio and Mark Micheletti who lobbied long and hard for this. Also to all the Lake Houston and Lake Conroe residents who made the trek to testify about this issue to the SJRA board.
Text of Press Release
CITY AND SJRA RECEIVE APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TEMPORARY FLOOD MITIGATION PROPOSAL FOR LAKE HOUSTON AND LAKE CONROE
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will use “enforcement discretion” if flood mitigation releases for Lake Houston and Lake Conroe exceed annual water rights
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Hurricane Harvey deposited tremendous amounts of silt in the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. The silt physically changed the river’s ability to safely pass flows during storms and created the need for a significant dredging project to restore the river’s capacity. As a temporary flood mitigation solution, the City of Houston and the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) proposed a temporary, joint reservoir operations strategy for Lake Houston and Lake Conroe. The temporary flood mitigation would be in place for up to two years or until the dredging project is completed.
The proposed strategy involves the pre-release of water from Lake Houston immediately prior to certain storms and the seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe’s water level during the Spring and Fall.
A significant hurdle to final consideration of the proposed temporary strategy was a decision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on how releases of water from the two reservoirs would be “accounted for” by the state. TCEQ issues permits that limit how much water can be diverted each year from water supply reservoirs like Lake Houston and Lake Conroe.
The proposal from Houston and SJRA highlights the difficulty of balancing the state’s long-term need for reliable water supplies with the short-term goal of protecting public health and safety while emergency measures are implemented to reduce flood risks.
In a letter to the City of Houston and SJRA on Friday, June 15, 2018, the TCEQ expressed its intent to use enforcement discretion to allow the two agencies to move forward with finalizing their temporary flood mitigation strategy.
The letter states that “if flood mitigation releases . . . result in an exceedance of the annual permitted amounts for diversion or release by SJRA of the City of Houston, the TCEQ Executive Director will exercise enforcement discretion with respect to such exceedance.” The TCEQ’s decision acknowledges the importance of accounting for all diversions from the state’s water supply reservoirs, but it also recognizes the emergency nature of the flood mitigation work being conducted in the San Jacinto River.
The City of Houston and SJRA express their sincere appreciation to the leadership and staff at the TCEQ for their thoughtful consideration of the unique flood challenges that our region is facing. We look forward to finalizing the details of our proposed joint reservoir operations strategy. Additional details on the project including a timeline will be provided as they become available.
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS
Houston Public Works (www.HoustonPublicWorks.org) is responsible for streets and drainage, production and distribution of water, collection and treatment of wastewater, and permitting and regulation of public and private construction covering a 627-square mile service area. Houston Public Works is accredited by the American Public Works Association. Facebook & Twitter:@HoustonPWE
ABOUT SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY
Created by the Texas Legislature in 1937, the San Jacinto River Authority is a government agency whose mission is to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. Covering all or part of seven counties, the organization’s jurisdiction includes the entire San Jacinto River watershed, excluding Harris County. SJRA is one of two dozen river authorities in Texas, and like other river authorities, its primary purpose is to implement long-term, regional projects related to water management and development. For more information, visit www.sjra.net.
00adminadmin2018-06-17 10:16:372020-01-17 10:05:27TCEQ Approves SJRA and City Plan to Temporarily Lower Lake Conroe
IH-69 Repairs Finish Sooner than Expected; Traffic Returning to Normal Soon
The lengthy delays crossing the San Jacinto River on Interstate Highway 69 at rush hour are almost over. TxDOT originally expected repairs could take until September, but is now saying traffic will return to normal by early July.
Only a month ago, finishing repairs to IH-69 before September seemed like a distant dream. Now TxDOT is saying it will restore normal traffic sooner than expected.
That’s the good news. However, between now and then, the concrete spaghetti bowl over the river will become even more tangled as crews work on one lane after another to restore normal traffic flow. So make note of the following. Here’s the latest:
Motorists should expect traffic delays and are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes.
All closures are subject to cancellation or modification due to adverse weather.
Summary of What will Open When
Below, read how TxDOT will meet those deadlines.
Ongoing Traffic Closures at this Time
I-69 Eastex northbound entrance ramp from FM 1960/Townsen: Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Tuesday, July 03, 2018. Detour northbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Sorters McClellan Rd.
I-69 Eastex northbound mainlanes between FM 1960 to Kingwood Dr.: Two left lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2018. Three mainlanes will remain open. Please refer to closure #9 below for closure details for the weekend of June 29 th thru July 2nd.
I-69 Eastex southbound entrance ramp from Kingwood Dr.: Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018. Detour southbound on the frontage road to the entrance ramp from Townsen Blvd.
I-69 Eastex southbound frontage road between Kingwood Dr. and Sorters McClellan Rd.: One Left lane closed continuously through 5:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2018. Please refer to closure #12 below for closure details for the week of June 25 th thru June 29 th.
I-69 Eastex southbound mainlanes between Kingwood Dr. and FM 1960: Two Right lanes closed continuously through 9:00 PM on Friday, June 22. Three mainlanes will remain open. Please refer to closure #6 below for closure details for the weekend of June 22 th thru June 25 th.
I-69 Eastex southbound exit ramp to FM 1960: Total closure continuously through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 25, 2018. Detour southbound on the mainlanes to the exit ramp to Sorters McClellan Rd./Townsen/FM 1960. Follow the Southbound Frontage Rd. to Sorters McClellan Rd., Townsen or FM 1960.
I-69 Eastex HOV/Express Lanes between Kingwood Dr. and the Townsen Park & Ride: Total closure continuously through 4:00 AM on Monday July 02, 2018. Southbound Detour via the entrance from the Townsen Park and Ride. Northbound Detour via the exit at the Townsen Park and Ride.
Closures to restore Southbound Mainlanes
Closures to Restore Northbound Mainlanes
Traffic Closures to Restore Frontage Roads
Miscellaneous Traffic Closures for Clean Up and Demobilization
Posted 6/19/2018 by Bob Rehak with thanks to Mark Mitchell for the information!
294 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Lowering Lake Conroe Temporarily Could Be Blessing in Disguise for Lakefront Property Owners
The Lake Conroe Association, which fought the temporary lowering of Lake Conroe, may find that it’s a blessing in disguise.
The TCEQ decided to allow the San Jacinto River Authority and City of Houston to lower Lake Conroe for six weeks by up to two feet during the peak of hurricane season. The SJRA will lower the lake to 199 feet if evaporation does not already reduce it that much.
Lowering Lake Could Facilitate Repairs, Help Fight Invasive Species
This should reduce the risk of flooding for people on both sides of the dam between August 15 and September 30. It could also give lakefront property owners an opportunity to repair shallow docks, retaining walls and other waterfront property.
That’s what the property owners on Lakes LBJ and Austin did for six weeks while the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) lowered those lakes in 2017 to facilitate dam repairs.
Image of hydrilla, an invasive species, courtesy of USGS.
The Lower Colorado River Authority also urged their residents to use the 2017 drawdown as an opportunity to curb the growth of nuisance aquatic vegetation, such as hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil.
The Lake Conroe Association may find that lowering Lake Conroe helps in its fight against invasive aquatic vegetation. Battling hydrilla has been one of the group’s top priorities for more than forty years.
Opening of Dredging Bids Expected Later Today
Temporarily lowering Lake Conroe will provide a buffer against flooding for downstream residents who are currently fighting excessive sedimentation left behind by Hurricane Harvey. The sediment is blocking drainage ditches and exacerbating flooding.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to open bids today on its Emergency West Fork Dredging Project. The Corps has postponed the bid opening twice already to give bidders more time to resolve questions relating to the complex project. The earlier dates were May 31 and June 12. I will let you know as soon as I hear something. Once approved, the project is projected to take approximately six months to complete.
Update on Tropical Wave as of 6 a.m., 6/18/18
As of this morning, the level of Lake Conroe is at 200.59 feet. The level of the San Jacinto river at US59 is currently close to 41 feet, which is about 1.5 below normal, thanks to the City of Houston’s decision to lower the level of Lake Houston in advance of the approaching storm.
Height of San Jacinto River at US 59 according to USGS stream gage data.
However, with the tropical wave expected to stream moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico most of this week, both of those levels should increase.
The morning weather report from Space City Weather indicate that counties in the northern part of the Houston region could see rainfall accumulations from 1.2 to 2.4 inches today. The five day outlook calls for higher accumulations. However, Jeff Lindner of Harris County Flood Control says, “Thus far bands/waves of showers … have not trained over one particular area long enough to cause any problems.”
Currently, Main Risk is From Street Flooding
“Overall the current forecasted amounts of rainfall are likely to be handled by the creeks and bayous over the area as long as the rainfall continues to exhibit enough breaks allowing systems to drain. Grounds will slowly saturate as the rainfall totals add up leading to greater amounts of run-off as the event continues. While rises on area creeks and bayous will be possible, the main threat will be street flooding especially in any areas of intense rainfall,” says Lindner.
He indicates, though, that the risk of flash flooding has increased to “moderate” for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Downstream Residents Grateful
Residents that I talk to downstream of the Lake Conroe Dam are grateful for the decision to lower Lake Conroe temporarily. Many are still traumatized by Hurricane Harvey and repairing their homes from the flood it caused. They appreciate Lake Conroe residents who supported the lowering. While it may be a short-term inconvenience, it will give the Corps time to clear the river. Hopefully, it will also give residents of Lake Conroe time to repair their docks and renew their fight against invasive plant species.
Posted on June 18, 2018
293 Days since Hurricane Harvey
TCEQ Approves SJRA and City Plan to Temporarily Lower Lake Conroe
This morning, I received a press release announcing that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) had approved the joint decision by the City of Houston and the San Jacinto River Authority to temporarily lower the level of Lake Conroe during the peak of hurricane season. The lake will be lowered by two feet from 201 mean feet about sea level (msl) to 199 msl between mid-August and the end of September. This will provide buffer against flooding while the Army Corps of Engineers removes excess sediment from the West Fork deposited by Hurricane Harvey that is exacerbating flooding. Because this has legal implications and the Lake Conroe Association fought the lowering, I’m reprinting the entire text of the press release below…with special thanks to Houston City Council Member Dave Martin, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and SJRA Board Members Kaaren Cambio and Mark Micheletti who lobbied long and hard for this. Also to all the Lake Houston and Lake Conroe residents who made the trek to testify about this issue to the SJRA board.
Text of Press Release
CITY AND SJRA RECEIVE APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TEMPORARY FLOOD MITIGATION PROPOSAL FOR LAKE HOUSTON AND LAKE CONROE
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will use “enforcement discretion” if flood mitigation releases for Lake Houston and Lake Conroe exceed annual water rights
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Hurricane Harvey deposited tremendous amounts of silt in the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. The silt physically changed the river’s ability to safely pass flows during storms and created the need for a significant dredging project to restore the river’s capacity. As a temporary flood mitigation solution, the City of Houston and the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) proposed a temporary, joint reservoir operations strategy for Lake Houston and Lake Conroe. The temporary flood mitigation would be in place for up to two years or until the dredging project is completed.
The proposed strategy involves the pre-release of water from Lake Houston immediately prior to certain storms and the seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe’s water level during the Spring and Fall.
A significant hurdle to final consideration of the proposed temporary strategy was a decision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on how releases of water from the two reservoirs would be “accounted for” by the state. TCEQ issues permits that limit how much water can be diverted each year from water supply reservoirs like Lake Houston and Lake Conroe.
The proposal from Houston and SJRA highlights the difficulty of balancing the state’s long-term need for reliable water supplies with the short-term goal of protecting public health and safety while emergency measures are implemented to reduce flood risks.
In a letter to the City of Houston and SJRA on Friday, June 15, 2018, the TCEQ expressed its intent to use enforcement discretion to allow the two agencies to move forward with finalizing their temporary flood mitigation strategy.
The letter states that “if flood mitigation releases . . . result in an exceedance of the annual permitted amounts for diversion or release by SJRA of the City of Houston, the TCEQ Executive Director will exercise enforcement discretion with respect to such exceedance.” The TCEQ’s decision acknowledges the importance of accounting for all diversions from the state’s water supply reservoirs, but it also recognizes the emergency nature of the flood mitigation work being conducted in the San Jacinto River.
The City of Houston and SJRA express their sincere appreciation to the leadership and staff at the TCEQ for their thoughtful consideration of the unique flood challenges that our region is facing. We look forward to finalizing the details of our proposed joint reservoir operations strategy. Additional details on the project including a timeline will be provided as they become available.
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS
Houston Public Works (www.HoustonPublicWorks.org) is responsible for streets and drainage, production and distribution of water, collection and treatment of wastewater, and permitting and regulation of public and private construction covering a 627-square mile service area. Houston Public Works is accredited by the American Public Works Association. Facebook & Twitter:@HoustonPWE
ABOUT SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY
Created by the Texas Legislature in 1937, the San Jacinto River Authority is a government agency whose mission is to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. Covering all or part of seven counties, the organization’s jurisdiction includes the entire San Jacinto River watershed, excluding Harris County. SJRA is one of two dozen river authorities in Texas, and like other river authorities, its primary purpose is to implement long-term, regional projects related to water management and development. For more information, visit www.sjra.net.