Colleen Ulrich gave me permission to share her family’s Hurricane Harvey experience. She captured the terror in this letter to the San Jacinto River Authority Board. It supports the continued seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe to provide a buffer against flooding until other mitigation measures can be put in place.Her home did not flood UNTIL AFTER the Lake Conroe release.
Full Text of Ulrich Letter
Dear SJRA Board Members,
The purpose of my email is to petition all SRJA Board Members to approve the temporary, seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe for 2020. As an introduction, I have been a resident of Kingwood since August 2005 when I evacuated from New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. We never moved back because our family fell in love with our adopted state of Texas and our adopted home town of Kingwood. I live in the Barrington neighborhood with my husband and 10-year-old daughter. Our home was flooded with 2 feet 2 inches of water in August 2017.
Colleen Ulrich’s vehicle during Hurricane Harvey after Lake Conroe release. This photo and those below courtesy of Colleen Ulrich. All used with permission.
Childhood Memories
One of the issues that those opposed to the temporary, seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe is that they feel deprived of their ability to enjoy the lake and to create fun summer time boating memories for their families and children. As a mother and Kingwood resident, I am petitioning you to vote in favor of the temporary, seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe to ensure the safety of my child and all of the children of Kingwood and to ensure none of the Kingwood area children have any memories similar to the ones that were created from the flood in August 2017.
Colleen Ulrich’s dining room during Hurricane Harvey after the SJRA opened the flood gates on Lake Conroe.
Our daughter, Alexandra, was 7 1/2 at the time and her memories include sitting on our stairwell alone in our home while my husband carried me on his back to be evacuated by boat because the quickly rising water was too high and the current too strong for me to walk by myself. Alexandra’s memories include riding in that same boat out of our neighborhood and seeing the houses with up to 4 feet of water in them. Alexandra’s memories include having her childhood bedroom destroyed by floodwaters.
I promise you that these memories will never fade for her.
The Ulrich living room after the Lake Conroe release during Harvey.
Fun Vs. Safety
So I petition to the Board, what is more important – creating fleeting childhood memories of a boat ride in the summer on Lake Conroe or averting traumatic childhood memories of a flood?
What is more important – the perceived Lake Conroe falling property values or the safety of our children and residents?
Heirlooms underwater.
I am in agreement that the lowering of Lake Conroe and Lake Houston are both temporary solutions. And of course these temporary solutions should be revisited once all of the other permanent measures including the installation of additional gates in Lake Houston are put in place. But until that time, I pray that you will make the right decision and keep the temporary, seasonal lowering in place until permanent measures can ensure the safety of all the children and of all the residents of Kingwood and the surrounding areas.
Ulrich kitchen, cabinets and appliances destroyed.
The piano that’s not so grand since Harvey.
Video of Evac
For your consideration, my husband recorded this video and posted it on YouTube so we can remind others of the trauma of that day. This was his boat ride out of Barrington.
I appreciate your service to our community and your consideration of my appeal to approve the lowering of Lake Conroe.
Regards,
Colleen Ulrich
Address and Phone Number Withheld for Purposes of This Post
Tell the SJRA Board about your Harvey experience and why you would like to see them continue lowering Lake Conroe seasonally until other flood mitigation measures can be put in place. Come to the next board meeting and tell them in person or write them by visiting https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/18/2020
872 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Ulrich-Evac.jpg?fit=1182%2C662&ssl=16621182adminadmin2020-01-18 17:11:252020-01-19 07:50:57Childhood Terror From Harvey: Ulrich Family’s Experience and Letter to SJRA Board
During Hurricane Harvey, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) released almost 80,000 cubic feet per second from the Lake Conroe Dam. This amounted to ONE-THIRD of all the water coming down the highly populated corridor between Humble and Kingwood. Massive damage resulted.
How Lake Lowering Policy Started
Almost 6,000 structures along the West Fork flooded. That number includes more than 1,100 between Lake Conroe and Porter. Forty-four percent of all the businesses in the Lake Houston Area Chamber experienced damage. The release inundated entire subdivisions. They included Forest Cove townhomes, Barrington, Kingwood Cove, Kingwood Greens, Kings Harbor, and Town Center. Large parts of other subdivisions flooded, too. Some more than two miles from the West Fork.
After touring the damage, Governor Gregg Abbott directed the SJRA to reduce flooding. The SJRA established a Flood Management Division. It also adopted a temporary policy of lowering Lake Conroe from 201 feet to 200 feet in the rainiest months of Spring and 199 feet during the peak of hurricane season.
The extra capacity in Lake Conroe provides a buffer against flooding downstream. It reduces both the volume and rate of water that SJRA must release in a flood.
How Long Policy Will Last
The policy is temporary until other flood mitigation measures can be completed. Those include:
Dredging the West Fork. According to the Army Corps, it had become 90% occluded in places from all the sediment washed downstream by Harvey.
Adding ten additional floodgates to Lake Houston to it can keep up with the volume released by Lake Conroe. Currently, the gates on Lake Houston can release 10,000 cubic feet per second while the gates on Lake Conroe can release 150,000, 15X more.
Pushback by Lake Conroe Residents
After 1.5 years, Lake Conroe residents rebelled against the policy based on misinformation provided by the Lake Conroe Association (LCA). LCA argues that lowering the lake:
Is permanent.
Is needless, because dredging is done.
Has no scientific basis.
Has not worked.
Damaged home values and bulkheading around Lake Conroe.
Makes boating difficult, especially for people far north on the lake.
Reduces the recreational potential of Lake Conroe.
Damages the lake-bottom environment
Will damage Montgomery County’s tax base.
Some of these claims are just outright false. Most are exaggerated. And virtually all stem from false premises; the policy is not permanent and dredging is not done. Regardless, the LCA has whipped people into a hysterical frenzy. Billboards around the lake ask them to SAVE OUR LAKE.
In contrast, the Lake Houston Area Chamber has launched a fact-based campaign called Lives Over Levels.
Please support the the Lake Houston Chamber’s Lives over Levels Campaign by emailing the SJRA Board or coming to one of their meetings. See below.
Background Information to Help You Write a Letter of Support
The links below provide information that you can use to write letters/emails supporting the lowering of Lake Conroe until dredging is complete and additional floodgates have been added to Lake Houston.
Please write an email showing your support for continuing the temporary seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe. The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
Generally, original letters carry more weight than form letters. However, many people do not feel comfortable writing or speaking. So…
At the December SJRA board meeting, busloads of Lake Conroe residents flooded the boardroom and the Fire Marshall turned away busloads more. To ensure everyone who wants to speak or show their support gets a chance, the SJRA will hold two special meetings at a larger venue closer to Lake Houston.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.
Doors open at 5pm.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303
Doors open at 5pm.
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
For Future Reference
For your convenience, this post has become a permanent page called Lake Lowering with all related blog posts and sample letters. You can access it through the main menu. Please share it with friends and family and get them to come to one of the board meetings or write an email of support.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LC-Dam-e1719277556742.jpg?fit=1200%2C549&ssl=15491200adminadmin2020-01-17 08:44:122020-01-18 15:35:11Overview: Background Information on Lake Lowering Issue
Today, the Texas Water Development Board formally approved the $30 million grant that will extend the mouth bar dredging program started by the City of Houston last week. Approval had been expected, but in the often-delayed world of flood mitigation projects, the signed deal was a welcome relief. This means that mouth bar dredging can continue in a timely way before hurricane season starts.
Phase One will focus on the West Fork Mouth Bar using the City’s $6 million and $10 million from the grant.
Phase Two will focus on the East Fork Mouth Bar using the remaining $20 million from the grant.
The $10 million from the County flood bond will fund surveys, formulation of specs, bidding, project management and more.
Going Beyond Harvey Dredging
Since Harvey, dredging efforts have focused on identifying and removing deposits related strictly to Hurricane Harvey itself. See below.
Previous phases of dredging focused upstream of the fat blue area near the mouth bar.
Recently completed projects effectively removed sediment deposited by Hurricane Harvey; however, more dredging needs to be completed in the area farthest to the right. That will help restore conveyance and reduce flooding by removing a sediment dam behind the dam. It should also help improve lake capacity.
Additional details on dredging plans and progress reports should become available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, crews appeared to be busy assembling equipment today at the old docks used by the Army Corps.
Crews assembling braces on pontoon that will hold the spudpoles. The spudpoles will hold the pontoon in place while a mechanical excavator scoops sediment into waiting barges to ferry it back to the placement area.Photo taken 1/16/2020.
The City plans to kick off the program with mechanical dredging equipment because it can mobilize quickly. At some point, they may switch over to hydraulic dredging to take advantage of that technology’s greater efficiencies.
The Great Lakes Dredge from Phase 1 is still sitting at the Army Corps dock in pieces while new equipment mobilizes around it. Rumor has it that the Great Lakes dredge is for sale. Photo taken 1/16/2020.
Huberty has already started lobbying for additional funding to help with longer-term maintenance dredging.
Two More Steps Before Kicking Into High Gear
Late today, John Blount, Harris County Engineer who authored the grant request said that there are two more formalities before the program can kick into high gear.
Harris County Commissioners Court, which previously approved the grant request, must now also approve receipt of the award and sign an inter-local agreement with the City of Houston. The latter will govern the working relationship between the City and County. The next Commissioners Court meets on January 28.
The permit to use Berry Madden’s property as a placement area must be amended to accept mechanical dredging spoils, not just hydraulic.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/16/2020
870 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200116-RJR_6419.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-01-16 19:30:132020-01-16 19:50:27Texas Water Development Board Approves $30 Million Grant for Mouth Bar Dredging
MoCo commissioners don’t make the decision to continue the policy. Their resolution shows only symbolic support for Lake Conroe residents. The SJRA board will make the final decision. So Daryl Palmer’s valiant solo appearance won’t necessarily end this story. But if “diffusion of responsibility” similarly affects turnout at the next SJRA board meeting, I fear that will send a message to the SJRA board. That message: downstream residents no longer care.
Ten Two Letter Words That Make All the Difference in the World
Somebody told me once about ten two-letter words that make all the difference in the world.
“If it is to be, it is up to me.”
I’ve tried to live my life by those words since then. Unfortunately, yesterday, I had a meeting conflict and could not attend the MoCo commissioner’s meeting.
When people believe success requires their involvement, most get involved. If you care about your community and neighbors who flooded, I challenge each of you to come to the next SJRA board meeting. Tell why lowering Lake Conroe is important to you personally.
Photo courtesy of Laura Vowinkle. Shows Kingwood Town Center Apartments during Harvey. That’s the top of an SUV in the foreground. These apartments are more than a mile north of the West Fork.
US59 During Harvey after the Lake Conroe release. Looking south from Sorters-McClellan overpass toward the Deerbrook Mall and Humble commercial district. Photo courtesy of Melinda Ray.
During the Lake Conroe release, Janet Wilson lost her home, two cars, 48 years worth of family heirlooms, pictures, books, keepsakes and furniture. She says the greatest damage though was the two years it took to restore family’s life; time that could have been spent with her aging and now deceased parents.
Another photo of Janet Wilson’s life on the curb.
Lowering Lake Conroe seasonally until other mitigation measures are complete is insurance. You don’t use insurance every year. But who would own a home or drive a car without it. The costs could be catastrophic.
Don’t think the SJRA board will automatically do the right thing.
Don’t rely on our political representatives to carry the day. They face opposition from representatives on the other side of this question.
Don’t assume that your voice won’t make a difference.
Don’t believe that because you didn’t flood, your home’s value was not affected.
Don’t pretend flooding could not happen again.
Four 100-year or greater storms hit this area in the last five years.
So act on those ten two-letter words. “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Make Your Voice Heard
BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.
Doors open at 5pm.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
6pm at Lone Star Convention and Expo Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303
Doors open at 5pm.
Those wishing to address the board or register a comment at a special meeting may fill out a Comment Registration Form https://www.sjra.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Comment-Registration-Form_01062020.pdf. Comment Registration Forms may be submitted at the special meeting. The form may not be mailed, emailed, or dropped off prior to the meeting date.
The SJRA Board of Directors also welcomes input regarding the seasonal lake lowering strategy via mail or email. To contact the Board please visit: https://www.sjra.net/about/board/. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the email form. Or email floodmanagementdivision@sjra.net.
The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has automated email that makes the process easy. But original emails that tell your particular story likely will carry far more weight.
Tomorrow, I will add a special page to this web site. It will contain all the information you need to compose your own letter or prepare spoken comments. Please continue to send in your photos of Harvey via the Submissions page on this web site so that we can dramatize the difference between real and perceived damages. In the meantime…
Don’t let diffusion of responsibility victimize you a second time.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/15/2020
869 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kingwood-Town-Center-Apts.jpg?fit=1200%2C563&ssl=15631200adminadmin2020-01-15 18:45:102020-01-17 08:52:46Lake Lowering and Diffusion of Responsibility
Everyone from County Commissioners to people on the street are picking up sides.
MoCo Commissioners Oppose Lowering in Split Vote
In a 3-2 vote this morning, Montgomery County Commissioners approved a resolution to OPPOSE the seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe. Judge Keough, Commissioner Meador and Commissioner Noack voted FOR the resolution. Commissioners Riley and Metts voted against.
Despite the news from Montgomery County, other local leaders released letters SUPPORTING the continuation of the policy.
Houston At-Large Council Member Sallie Alcorn Supports Lowering
Sallie Alcorn, Houston City Council Member At-Large, Position 5, sent the SJRA a letter supporting the continuation of the lake lowering policy. Ms. Alcorn, a new member of City Council, used to work with Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello and saw first hand how the lake lowering strategy helped prevent flooding in May of last year. See the full text of her letter below.
Sallie Alcorn Letter supporting lake lowering.
Woodlands Leader Robert Leilich Supports Lowering
Robert Leilich, president of Municipal Utility District #1 in the Woodlands, wrote a poignant letter to the SJRA board expressing his own personal experience and opinions.
January 14, 2020
Dear SJRA Board Members,
I witnessed first-hand the devastation wreaked by the necessity to open Lake Conroe’s Tainter Gates during Hurricane Harvey. I worked in a home of a disabled veteran in River Plantation that had recently recovered from the Memorial Day Flood. Water in this home went from a few inches up to ten feet in a matter of a few hours after the gates were opened. I spent many hours pulling down wallboard from the ceiling and walls after it ruined everything. Over 400 homes were flooded in River Plantation, alone, most of which would not have flooded if it were possible to not open the gates.
Taking steps to utilize the capability of Lake Conroe to contain more floodwaters beyond its current limited capabilities is a positive step to mitigate or prevent future flooding by waters flowing from Lake Conroe. This common-sense flood prevention capability must take precedence over minor inconveniences to a few homeowners and businesses, who greatly exaggerate claims of harm and loss. After all, the primary purpose to building the lake in the first place was never to serve those interests. SJRA has no obligation to give priority to these interests over the welfare of residents downstream of the dam.
In 1917, an amendment to the Texas constitution, referred to as the “Conservation Amendment,” authorized the Legislature “to create governmental entities with the authority to develop large-scale, regional projects, such as dams, reservoirs, and delivery systems, for the purpose of conserving and developing the state’s water resources, including the control, storing, preservation, and distribution of its storm and flood waters, the water of its rivers and streams, for irrigation, power, and all other useful purposes…” (from SJRA ‘s 75th Anniversary brochure, page 5).
In 1937, the San Jacinto River Conservation and Reclamation District (now SJRA) was formed “to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin.” Enabling legislation also gave the Authority rights “to impound flood waters.” It is entirely appropriate and prudent that the SJRA exercise this authority.
The present policy to temporarily drop lake levels one-foot in the spring and two-feet in August and September is a fair compromise between flood prevention and recreation.
Since Governor Abbott directed the SJRA on March 15, 2018, to implement immediate and long-term solutions to protect lives and property of Texans living in the watershed, the SJRA Board has taken positive action. It is my hope that the Board will continue to follow the Governor’s directives when the board once again considers the temporary and seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe, continuing the present policy until (and if) more permanent flood control measures are implemented.
The ability of Lake Conroe to mitigate potential flooding was demonstrated during the May 10, 2019, rain event. (SJRA data from the May 2019 floods show that had no releases occurred prior to the event, Lake Conroe would have been forced to release at a higher CFS during the event.) Lowering Lake Conroe protected numerous lives, homes and businesses.
Access to lake recreation should never be at the expense of endangering lives downstream, especially considering the Charter of the SJRA states that its express purpose was for responsible water management. Further, if the Board chooses to not continue lowering Lake Conroe, it would be out of compliance with Governor Abbott’s mandate.
The San Jacinto River Authority has a legal and moral responsibility to many more people than just those who live and work around Lake Conroe. It is my hope and expectation that the SJRA Board will continue the present policy that is proving to protect lives and property against those who have a sense of entitlement that supersedes public interests.
I respectfully request that you vote in favor of the temporary, seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe on February 20, 2020.
Very truly yours, (Signed) Robert H. Leilich President, MUD #1
Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative Supports Lowering
The Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative supports the Lake Houston Chamber to mobilize people throughout the region. The Grassroots organization sent the following note to its members on Monday afternoon.
Dear ______________:
On Tuesday, Jan 7th, the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce sent an email highlighting the various ways you can support the SJRA’s temporary seasonal Lake Lowering program for 2020.
We encourage everyone to be involved in any way you can. So, if you are not able to attend the SJRA Public Board meeting on Tuesday January 21st meeting at 6:00 pm at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center, we encourage you to send an email to the SJRA board members sharing your support of this temporary lake lowering program. The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce has created a very easy way to send an email via the RecoverLakeHouston.com website. It only takes a few seconds to complete their form. We highly recommend using this method to send an email.
In the Lake Houston Long Term Recovery Task Force Meeting this morning, the Lake Houston Area Chamber reported as of this morning, 689 emails had been sent via RecoverLakeHouston.com. While that is a good start, we are confident that with your help we can exceed 2000 emails to show SJRA that the Lake Houston area appreciates their support in providing temporary solutions to reduce the flood risk. So please share in your social media feeds and on Nextdoor to help spread the word. If it is easier to share directly from the Lake Houston Area Chambers Facebook post, the link is https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158743067093357&substory_index=0&id=139473188356
It is important for EVERYONE to be involved as the Lake Conroe Association which is requesting SJRA to “Stop The Drop” is growing. They have obtained support from State Representative Will Metcalf and State Senator Robert Nichols. Bob Rehak with ReduceFlooding.com shared a recent blog post that includes the letters.
Again thank for being involved and please help spread the word.
Sincerely,
Lake Houston Area Grassroots Flood Prevention Initiative
Lake Houston Chamber Supports Lowering
The Lake Houston Chamber sent this letter to members.
January 7, 2020
I am calling on you, once again, to help us protect the Lake Houston Area from future flooding. We are launching a “Lives Over Levels” email campaign to the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) Board of Directors requesting their approval of temporary, seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe in 2020. The SJRA Board meets on January 21 to hear comments and again on February 20 to call the vote.
As you may recall, our area fought hard to initiate a seasonal lake lowering program during the wettest months of our year and in the height of hurricane season. The lake lowering program calls for Lake Conroe to be lowered 1 ft. below Lake Conroe’s normal pool elevation during the months of April and May and by 2 ft. below normal pool elevation in the months of August and September. The seasonal lowering program must be approved by the SJRA Board each February.
An organized group of homeowners on Lake Conroe has recently launched a campaign to the SJRA Board and a petition to Governor Abbott to stop the temporary and seasonal lowering program. They contend the temporary, seasonal lake lowering program impedes lakefront residents’ ability to get their boats from their slips during months with lower lake levels. They also claim that the lake lowering program has no scientific basis of flood protection and is thus merely offers a “placebo effect” for Lake Houstonians.
However, as residents and business professionals in Lake Houston, we know the benefits the seasonal and temporary lowering of Lake Conroe has had on our area and we also have data which proves seasonal lowering mitigated flooding.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP: SEND an email to the SJRA Board Members through our RecoverLakeHouston.com site.
SHARE the RecoverLakeHouston.com site with your employees, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and customers so they can also participate in the campaign. Forward this email and engage their participation.
SPREAD the campaign on social media using #LivesOverLevels #SJRA #RecoverLakeHouston. To make it easy, simply share posts from our Lake Houston Area Chamber social media pages. SJRA On Twitter: @SJRA_1937 SJRA On Facebook: @SanJacintoRiverAuthority SJRA on Instagram: @sanjacintoriverauthoritysjra
SHOW UP to the SJRA Board Meetings at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 21 and Tuesday, February 20 at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center located at 9055 Airport Road, Conroe, Texas 77303. The opposition group in Lake Conroe will have several hundred people attend.
The future of the Lake Houston Area depends largely on our community rallying together, fighting for action to prevent flooding.
Join me in support of this campaign,
Jenna Armstrong, IOM President & CEO Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/14/2020
868 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/image-4.png?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1540960adminadmin2020-01-14 18:38:212020-01-17 08:53:57More People, Groups Line Up For, Against Lowering of Lake Conroe
On January 10, Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote the SJRA Board to support continued lowering of Lake Conroe. “This temporary measure,” said the Mayor, “will help mitigate against future flooding until permanent flood gates can be installed and dredging of the San Jacinto’s West Fork can be completed.”
Reminding LCA Who Owns the Water
The Mayor also reminded the Lake Conroe Association (LCA) that the City of Houston owns two thirds of the water in Lake Conroe.
Changing the LCA Narrative
Turner also addressed an LCA narrative that claims Lake Conroe was not built for flood control. It was built for drinking water, they say. But the letter changes that narrative. It says, “While the lake was originally constructed as a reservoir for drinking water, the Houston region has become increasingly prone to flooding due to population growth, development and more frequent storms with record rainfall. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas recognize that flood control must be a consideration. The proactive release water is an effective measure until more permanent solutions can be completed.” See the full text of the Mayor’s letter below.
I have not always agreed with Mayor Turner, but I support him wholeheartedly on this.
Clash of Political Titans
Tuesday, Montgomery County Commissioners will vote on a resolution recommending to END the seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe.
I suspect Harris County Commissioners and the governor may enter this fray before the final vote.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/14/2019
868 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1.10.2020-Lake-Conroe-Water-Level-NA.doc.jpg?fit=1700%2C2200&ssl=122001700adminadmin2020-01-13 23:31:352020-01-17 08:54:29Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Supports Continuing to Lower Lake Conroe Seasonally to Help Mitigate Flooding
To avert another seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe, the Lake Conroe Association is appealing to State Representatives, State Senators, the Governor, the Conroe City Council, and Montgomery County Commissioners. They focus on the temporary loss of recreation in some parts of the lake. They also say that “damages” home values and businesses.
Finally, they’re telling officials there’s no proof that lowering the lake helps prevent downstream flooding and that it wastes $10 million of water.
They are NOT telling officials, however, that ending the program before other mitigation measures are in place could potentially open up the SJRA and State of Texas to billions of dollars in law suits.
Fifth Amendment “Takings Clause”
The issue has to do with the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It says that private property shall not be taken for public use, without just compensation. This so-called takings clause forms the basis for many of the lawsuits against the SJRA stemming from Harvey flooding. Those have not yet gone to trial. But lawsuits in a parallel case have.
He said the flooding of homes was a foreseeable result of government actions.
Rulings in Addicks/Barker Cases
“U.S. Judge Charles F. Lettow detailed how government officials knowingly and intentionally used private property to store rising floodwaters,” said a Houston Chronicle article about the decision. The key point in the case, according to the judge: The government knew for decades that the reservoirs could NOT contain the floodwaters in a deluge and did NOTHING over decades to prevent it. “Plaintiffs have sufficiently demonstrated that the inundation of floodwaters onto their private property was the ‘direct, natural, or probable result’ of the government’s activity,” he wrote.
How Addicks Case Applies to SJRA Lake Lowering Policy
Hold that thought. Now apply those principles to the SJRA today. It faces a decision between the temporary seasonal lowering of Lake Conroe or NOT lowering the lake. Not lowering the lake would placate recreational boaters and lakefront property owners like LCA president Mike Bleier (who did not flood during Harvey).
That’s almost 6000 structures on the West Fork. One structure might include a whole apartment complex housing hundreds of families, a shopping center employing hundreds, a high school with 4000 students, a hotel providing housing to flood victims or a hospital treating them.
None of these numbers includes damages to East Fork property, which Lake Conroe releases do not affect
Now let’s assume that the SJRA eliminates the seasonal lowering policy which it has publicly stated prevented flooding twice so far.
Let’s also assume that a big storm comes along that dumps 10-12 inches of rain on Lake Conroe and that because that buffer no longer exists, people flood again.
Parallels
Lake Conroe and downstream residents now have a ready-made, almost watertight case against the SJRA and its financial backer, the State of Texas. All the essential elements from the Barker/Addicks decision are there.
Government knew that downstream flooding was likely.
SJRA had a proven strategy at its disposal to reduce flooding.
SJRA chose not to use the strategy, which the governor endorsed.
Governor had made flood mitigation a top priority for SJRA.
SJRA chose instead to increase recreational possibilities on public property (Lake Conroe).
Private property then flooded as a foreseeable result.
It seems like a pretty close parallel to me. Perhaps it’s even more of a textbook case. Especially considering recent directives by the governor for the SJRA to focus on flood mitigation and his public endorsement of the lake lowering strategy.
Mandates in SJRA Enabling Legislation
The state created the SJRA to “conserve, control, and utilize to beneficial service the storm and flood waters of the rivers and streams of the State.” Section 2 of the enabling legislation mentions floodwaters three times. It doesn’t mention recreational boating or lakefront home values once.
In addition, the enabling legislation also says that the purpose of the SJRA is to:
Prevent the devastation of land from recurrent overflows.
Protect life and property.
Regulate the waters of the San Jacinto River and its tributaries.
Conserve “soils against destructive erosion … thereby preventing the increased flood menace incident thereto.”
If the SJRA floods people again when it might have been avoided, this sounds more and more like a slam-dunk case for plaintiffs.
That includes understanding how the seasonal lowering strategy helps. It is designed more for “less than 100-year” rain events, than it is for another Harvey. Another Harvey would fill up that 1-2 foot buffer quickly and repeatedly. The value of the strategy lies in offsetting storms that we experience far more frequently, but which could still flood people, such as those last May.
For Those Who Have Never Personally Flooded
Before closing, I’d like to publish several images that West Fork residents Rhonda Haney and Alexis Faust sent me. The images show their Harvey experiences. Thank God, most Lake Conroe residents didn’t have to suffer through what Rhonda and Alexis did. Most Lake Conroe residents may not know the financial and emotional devastation of flooding. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Harvey Photo courtesy of Alexis FaustHarvey Photo courtesy of Rhonda Haney
Harvey Photo courtesy of Rhonda Haney
Harvey Photo courtesy of Rhonda Haney
Harvey Photo courtesy of Alexis Faust
Harvey Photo courtesy of Alexis Faust
Harvey Photo courtesy of Alexis Faust
Posted By Bob Rehak on 1/13/2019 with thanks to Alexis Faust and Rhonda Haney for sharing their photos
867 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Alexis-Lehman.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=11200900adminadmin2020-01-13 00:49:342020-01-17 08:53:24Legal Aspect of Lake Lowering That Lake Conroe Association Won’t Tell Officials About
Woodridge Still Far Short of Promised Detention Capacity
After about 15 months of working on the Woodridge Village site, Perry Homes still has only 23% of the detention capacity installed. And even that does not yet meet Montgomery County regulations (see below). None of the work this week focused on new detention ponds that would reduce flood risk for Elm Grove residents.
Perry Homes had promised to build three ponds on the northern section. But they have not started any of those yet.
And Far Behind Schedule
On October 17th last year, an attorney for Perry Homes, J. Carey Gray, promised the Houston City attorney that Perry would have S2 completed in no more than 45 days. It has now been 86 days since Mr. Gray sent his letter and the work is still far from complete. I’m sure this creates an embarrassment to the Mayor of Houston, especially considering that Perry Homes gave $5000 to his re-election campaign. It creates the appearance of trying to buy favors.
Put 30-foot wide maintenance roads around the ponds.
Place backslope interceptor swales around the ponds.
Have effective erosion control measures in place.
Implement protective measures for their overflow spillway.
Prevent increases in downstream flood levels.
Prepare a geotechnical report (that they shared with Montgomery County) showing groundwater levels at detention pond sites.
Ensure complete drainage of the detention pond.
Detention Pond Falls Short of Promised Capacity
Calculations for the capacity of the detention ponds begin from the bottom of the pond – when empty. When partially filled with water, the calculation begins from the top of the water. The bottom 2-3 feet of S2 has retained water for months, indicating that part of the pond is below the water table. So you can subtract about 20% of capacity that LJA Engineering promised and that Rebel Contractors initially built.
The flurry of work this week centered around creating the maintenance road that regulations demand. Or perhaps Perry is just building up the lip of S2 to compensate for the water it holds. Both are potentially good things.
However, workers also started filling the backslope interceptor swales they previously built. This created a sharp slope next to neighboring residents’ property and increased runoff toward the residents during last night’s rain.
Contractors placing dirt along the southern edge of the S1 pond to build a roadearlier in the week.
Elm Grove Trail on left. Woodridge Village on right of silt fence. Note how land is being sloped toward Elm Grove.
An interceptorswale collects water above slopes and diverts it to the bottom of a detention pond through pipes so runoff does not create erosion on the slopes that lead to the pond.
Perry Homes has given no reason why they started filling in the swale they previously built that complied with MoCo regulations.
Looking west from Village Springs Drive. In the foreground, you can see how workers built a road and filled in the interceptor swale between it and Elm Grove on the left.Still looking west. From this drain pipe, you can better see the grassy swale previously created to drain water into the detention pond (right) and to keep it out of Elm Grove (left).Reverse shot, looking east. Here you can see how workers filled in the swale and created a road three to four feet high. Residents worry about the effect.Looking east near the entrance to Taylor Gully from the road, the change in drainage toward Elm Grove (right) becomes very apparent. Picture taken Friday afternoon before rain. Road was uncompacted except for the weight of the small bulldozer spreading dirt (see first picture above).
Same Changes Between S1 and Sherwood Trails
The same changes appear along the southern edge of S1, north of Sherwood Trails, though the road does not appear as high and there also appears to be a shallow swale.
Looking west along the southern edge of Woodridge Village S1 detention pond, toward Woodland Hills from Fair Grove.
No Effective Erosion Control Yet
Perry Homes has also failed to put effective erosion control measures in place in Woodridge Village. For instance, most pond banks do not yet have grass planted on them.
The new road covered up what little grass had grown around the ponds. And raw dirt now fills the former interceptor swale.
A one-inch rain last night swept sediment into the pond, which emptied into Taylor Gully and Caney Creek before joining the East Fork of the San Jacinto.
Massive Pollution
Boater Josh Alberson took the dramatic picture below this afternoon where Caney Creek joins the East Fork. The East Fork water looks natural, but the water coming from Caney Creek via Taylor Gully is clouded with sediment. Woodridge Village is the only large source of exposed earth up Taylor Gully at this time. (Alberson verified that this sediment-laden runoff was NOT coming from the Triple PG mine up White Oak Creek.)
Water from Taylor Gully (right) merging with East Fork water (left) on Saturday afternoon, 1/11/2020, after a 1-inch rain last night.
Posted by Bob Rehak with images from Josh Alberson, Edythe Cogdill and Nancy Vera
865 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 114 since Imelda
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RoadNoSwale.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2020-01-11 22:51:072020-01-11 22:55:48Perry Homes’ Contractors Return to Woodridge Village, But Undo Some Previous Work, Add to Sediment-Laden Runoff
“Interferes with the Recreational Use of the Lake”
Text of Resolution to be considered by MoCo Commissioners on Tuesday, January 14.
What Interference is Really Like
Lake Conroe homeowners who claim their property values have been damaged by lowering the lake a foot or two should see what flood damage is really like.
A little fixer upper on the West Fork in Forest Cove. What an extra 80,000 cubic feet per second going through your living room will do.Kingwood Village Estates, a senior complex, had to be evacuated. Twelve people later died – six from injuries sustained during the evacuation and six from the stress of losing their homes and everything they own. Residents ranged in age from 65-95.This home was more than two miles from the West Fork and had to be gutted to the ceiling. Six of nine buildings at Kingwood College were destroyed. Thousands of students had to be relocated for more than a year while the buildings were disinfected from sewage contamination.
Sand Creek home more than 2 miles from the San Jacinto West Fork during Harvey after Lake Conroe Release.
Evac photo along Hamblen Road the morning after the Lake Conroe release.Union Pacific Railroad Bridge over West Fork knocked out for months.US59 southbound lanes were undercut by scouring, partially the result of the Lake Conroe release. TxDoT spent $20 million and 11 months repairing them. During that entire time, the average commute increased an hour each day for people trying to cross the river in rush hour.To play video, click here.110 homes out of 250 in Kings Forest flooded. This video shows the trash piles days after Harvey. All of these homes were more than two miles from the West Fork. Thousands of other homes between these and the river had their recreational value destroyed.
River Grove Park was covered with more than 4 feet of sand. Most it closed for almost a year. Parts of it are still unusable including the boat dock, which is the only public ramp in Kingwood.
And then, consider Kingwood High School which flooded to the second floor. Four thousand students had to be bused to another high school an hour away for seven months. Students from the two schools shared the same building but in different shifts.
Kingwood High School after the Lake Conroe release.
How You Can Help
Send me your best Harvey pics. Use the Submissions page of this web site. Understand that you give ReduceFlooding.com the right to publish your images. Let’s show Commissioner Meador how the Lake Conroe release interfered with recreation in our community.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/10/2020, with grateful thanks for the contributions from dozens of residents too numerous to mention
864 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/KHS-e1702338318946.jpg?fit=1100%2C616&ssl=16161100adminadmin2020-01-10 23:31:082020-01-17 08:55:07MoCo Commissioners to Consider Resolution Opposing Lowering of Lake Conroe; Interferes with Recreation
On December 30, 2019, the City of Houston issued a Notice To Proceed (NTP) for debris removal services. Specifically, that means the large silt deposit at the confluence of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. The area is commonly known as the “mouth bar.” See below.
Mouth Bar of the San Jacinto West Fork looking upstream. Picture from 12/3/2019.
Mechanical, Not Hydraulic Dredging
The City hired DRC Emergency Services, LLC (DRC) under an existing contract to begin mechanical dredging of the mouth bar “this week,” according to Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin.
Mechanical dredging differs from hydraulic dredging. With hydraulic dredging, contractors continuouslypump sediment from the river to a placement area onshore via long pipelines. With mechanical dredging, they scoop it out of the river and dump it on barges. Then they ferry the barges to the placement area where trucks transport the sediment to its final location.
Hydraulic dredging takes less time once started, but the prep can take months. Mechanical dredging takes longer, but can start immediately.
The City will begin the hydraulic dredging with $6 million of FEMA money left over from Hurricane Harvey debris removal funds. The Texas Division of Emergency Management and Governor Greg Abbott allocated that money specifically for Lake Houston and approved the remaining funds for mouth-bar dredging.
The grant application proposes removing sediment in two distinct phases:
Near and at the mouth bar on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River
In the East Fork of the San Jacinto River AND other locations in Lake Houston.
Mouth Bar on East Fork San Jacinto grew 4,000 feet since Harvey.
Phase-One Funding and Objectives
To complete Phase 1, Harris County proposed taking $10 million of the $30 million to provide a total $16 million for DRC dredging operations.
Phase 1 should remove a minimum of 400,000 cubic yards (CY) of material in eight to twelve months. The Army Corps of Engineers previously removed 500,000 cubic yards from the West Fork Mouth Bar for $17 million in about three months.
During Phase 1, the County will begin some activities for Phase 2. They include:
Hydrographic surveys of the West and East Forks, and Lake Houston
Development of plans and specifications
Identification and permitting of additional disposal sites
Competitive bidding
Since the TWDB grant money can only be used for dredging, Harris County will pay for the activities above out of the 2018 HCFCD Bond Program. The fund allocated $10 million for dredging in Lake Houston.
Phase-2 Funding and Objectives
The remaining $20 million from the $30 million TWDB grant will go toward Phase 2 dredging.
During Phase 2, Harris County, City of Houston (COH), HCFCD, SJRA, and Coastal Water Authority (CWA) will develop and execute a plan for the COH or CWA to assume all long-term dredging operations on Lake Houston.
The County does not intend to assume long-term responsibility for maintenance dredging of a City property, i.e., Lake Houston.
TWDB Meets Next Week to Approve Grant
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will meet on Thursday, January 16, 2020, to approve the $30 million grant. “We are in the final stages of agency approval to continue dredging the lake and river,” said State Representative Dan Huberty. His amendment to SB500 last year dedicated the money for dredging this area. “By approving this amount, the legislature as a whole made a clear and concise statement that Lake Houston and the San Jacinto River are vital resources for the entire region and must be maintained.”
“Due to the urgency of this issue, multiple entities worked together to craft a plan that could be executed immediately, allowing the first phase to begin as soon as possible,” said Huberty.
Kudos Go To…
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked to create the final grant program under the supplemental funds we received from the Legislature,” said Huberty. “It would have not been possible without Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dennis Bonnen, former Appropriations Chairman John Zerwas, Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson, State Senator Brandon Creighton, Chief Nim Kidd, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello, Harris County Commissioner’s Court, Harris County Engineer John Blount, Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Russell Poppe, Harris County Flood Control District Deputy Director Matt Zeve, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and many more.”
To View TWDB Board Meeting Live
Tune in to the live TWDB Board Meeting next Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 9:30 AM by visiting: http://texasadmin.com/tx/twdb/.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/8/2019
863 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 111 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/15.NewSandBarAtEntrytoLkHouston.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&ssl=113332000adminadmin2020-01-09 22:37:222020-01-09 22:37:33West Fork Mouth Bar Dredging Set to Start As TWDB Considers Grant to Extend Program
