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Reduce Your Flood Risk for Less than $1

3/20/25 – Montgomery County has asked U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw for federal help in sponsoring a study on repurposing old sand mines. Please send a letter expressing your support. For less than $1 – the cost of an envelope and a stamp – you could help reduce your flood risk.

Why Repurposing is Necessary

Southern Montgomery County has more than 20 square miles of sand mines. To put that in perspective, together, they exceed the size of Lake Houston. In fact, five of the mine complexes are wider than the lake itself at its widest point.

Some mines are still producing, but many have been abandoned – without any remediation or repurposing. Worse, an area 50% larger than Harris County drains through the mines and flushes sediment from them into Lake Houston during floods. The sediment reduces room for water, backs water up, contributes to flooding, and raises water treatment costs.

*Exposed sediment in San Jacinto West Fork sand mine*

Potential Benefits of Redevelopment

Other areas around the world have used old mines to enhance floodplain management, ecological restoration, and community recreation. Thoughtful redevelopment of Montgomery County mines might yield significant benefits here, too. That’s why we need this study.

Challenges of Abandoned Sand Mines in Floodplains:

Flooding Risks: Abandoned sand mines in floodplains can exacerbate flooding by altering natural water flow and increasing sediment deposition downstream. For instance, during Hurricane Harvey, sand from mining operations contributed to sediment buildup in the San Jacinto River, reducing its capacity and worsening flood conditions.
Environmental Degradation: Unrehabilitated mines can lead to habitat loss, water quality issues, and destabilized riverbanks, impacting local ecosystems and communities.

Potential Repurposing Strategies

Sand-mining in floodplains typically leaves large holes in the ground. With planning, they can turn into extra storage for flood water. Typical secondary uses include:

Water Management Infrastructure:

Stormwater Retention Basins: Repurposed mines can serve as detention basins, managing stormwater runoff and reducing urban flooding.
Groundwater Recharge Zones: These areas can facilitate groundwater recharge, enhancing water availability during dry periods.

Wetland and Riparian Restoration:

Flood Mitigation: Transforming abandoned mines into wetlands can act as natural sponges, absorbing excess floodwater and reducing downstream flooding.
Habitat Creation: Restored wetlands and riparian buffers support biodiversity, offering habitats for various species and improving water quality through natural filtration.

Recreational and Educational Facilities:

Parks and Trails: Redeveloping these areas into parks with walking trails, fishing spots, and bird-watching platforms can provide community recreational spaces.
Environmental Education Centers: Establishing centers focused on local ecology and conservation can promote environmental awareness and stewardship.

Where It Has Worked Elsewhere

Other areas around the world have faced similar challenges and turned lemons into lemonade.

The Little Miami River, Ohio, USA: Provides flood control benefits, supports a rich array of wildlife, and has become an important recreational and educational resource for surrounding communities.
Maasplassen Lakes, Netherlands: Former sand pits were transformed into a network of lakes used for water sports, nature conservation, and tourism, boosting the local economy and biodiversity.
Chattahoochee RiverLands, Georgia, USA: Abandoned sand and gravel pits are being converted into natural areas and parks as part of a greenway system, focusing on habitat restoration and public access.
Tinsley Green Sand Quarry, South Yorkshire, UK: Now supports a wide range of species, including several that are rare or protected.
Angler’s Paradise, United Kingdom: A sand and gravel pit in Devon, England, was transformed into a well-known fishing and leisure destination known as Angler’s Paradise.

Considerations for the San Jacinto Watershed

For similar plans to succeed here in the San Jacinto Watershed, in my opinion, we need:

Comprehensive Planning: Collaborative efforts among local governments, environmental organizations, and communities are essential to develop sustainable repurposing plans.
Environmental Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments to address potential contamination and ensure safe redevelopment.
Community Engagement: Involving local residents in planning ensures that projects meet community needs and gain public support.

By implementing these strategies, abandoned sand mines in the San Jacinto watershed could potentially be transformed into assets that enhance environmental health, provide recreational opportunities, and improve flood resilience for communities downstream.

Miners could incorporate the long-term vision for the area into their mine-abandonment plans. But first, we need the vision. So, reduce your flood risk for less than $1.

Suggested Letter

Here is a sample letter. Feel free to copy it or put it in your own words. But send it right away. The deadline is March 28, 2025.

[Insert Your Return Address Here]

March 20, 2025

The Honorable Dan Crenshaw

248 Cannon HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Re: Supporting Flood Damage Reduction and Environmental Enhancements Study of Sand Mines Along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River

Dear Congressman Crenshaw:

I am writing to express my support for the proposed feasibility study regarding the re-purposing of sand mines along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River for flood damage reduction and environmental enhancements. This project will help mitigate flood risks, enhance water quality, restore ecological function, and improve the resilience of East Montgomery County as well as people downstream in Harris County.

The proposed feasibility study will focus on the reuse of existing sand mines. It presents an opportunity to improve drainage, provide for additional floodwater storage, and enhance recreation.

To put the problem in perspective, five of the sand mines are wider than Lake Houston. And all sand mines combined exceed the area of Lake Houston, which provides water for more than 2 million people.

We thank you for giving this project your full consideration and support and for your commitment to addressing the drainage challenges in Montgomery County Precinct 4.

Respectfully,

[Signature/Name]

Send your letter today! Granted, repurposing mines would be a long-term effort. But it could help reduce your flood risk for less than $1.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/25

2760 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.

West Fork Sand-Mining Problems Persist Despite Legislative Efforts

3/19/25 – San Jacinto West Fork sand-mining problems persisted this morning, even as the House Natural Resources Committee met to discuss legislation intended to deal with them. With one exception, the miners seemed blissfully unaware of the problems they were causing. And at least one committee member seemed to be a ringer for the sand-mining industry. He reportedly argued that the TCEQ had everything under control.

Do they? You be the judge.

Cunningham Bills Under Consideration

Three bills by Rep. Charles Cunningham discussed this morning included:

HB1532 which creates a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District to help deal with sediment from the mines.
HB1163 which requires miners to develop a restoration plan and post a bond to guarantee they would do it.
HB1177 which puts more teeth in the state water code provision that prohibits flooding neighbors by creating criminal penalties.

Photos Taken During Committee Hearing

As the committee discussed merits of the bills, this is what the West Fork sand-mining problems looked like.

*South end of pit sold by Hallett to Riverwalk Porter LLC.* *Dike has been breached since January 2024.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*North end of same pit.* *River has flowed through pit since May 2024 instead of following its original course.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*Closer shot shows sandbar now blocking original river channel* *which flows left to right.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*Farther upstream, the river now flows through another pit that Hallett still owns*. *River flows from bottom to top. Note abandoned river channel on right.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*Closer shot of exit breach in same pit.*

*Abandoned dredge pipe at an abandoned mine immediately south of Hallett*. *This pipe has been there for years. The original operator should have removed it long ago. TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*Another pit open to the river since May 2024.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*Same pit from different angle. Note river starting to cut through neighbor’s property.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*More abandoned equipment at another abandoned mine. Should have been removed years ago.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

*For years, sediment flowed through this breach from the left and filled the channel on the right with silt. Now water in the channel is flowing back into the pond.* *TCEQ seems unconcerned.*

One Exception

All in all, things this morning looked much the way they have since the May flood last year…with one exception. Remember that 800-foot wide river of sludge from the Hallett settling basin (right), that flowed through the woods (left) for more than a year?

*Hallett is finally raising the road to staunch the flow.*

Putting It All in Perspective

Of Cunningham’s three bills, two focus on prevention. But the dredging bill focuses on correction.

Ironically, one observer of today’s committee hearing felt that the members looked most favorably on the dredging bill. That makes sense. This is a business friendly state. And…

There’s more money to be made by letting companies pollute and then paying other companies to clean it up than there is by just preventing the pollution.

But it’s too early to know how the committee will vote. Check back soon to see how or if Natural Resources will address our West Fork sand-mining problems.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/19/25

2759 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.

Five Sand Mines Upstream from Lake Houston are Wider than Lake Houston

3/18/25 – Five sand mines upstream from Lake Houston are wider than Lake Houston itself. But that’s not the only statistic that puts the area’s sand mining issues in perspective. The combined size of all upstream mines also exceeds the size of Lake Houston. Let’s look at how these statistics relate to a bill pending in the Texas House: HB-1163.

Width of Lake vs. Width of Upstream Mines

I used Google Earth Pro to measure the width of Lake Houston just above the dam. It’s almost a half mile wider than the FM1960 bridge.

*Just above the dam, Lake Houston is 1.87 miles wide.*

Now let’s look at five sand mine complexes upstream from Lake Houston.

Five Mine Complexes Exceed Width of Lake Houston

These complexes on the West Fork San Jacinto and Caney Creek in the East Fork watershed are even wider than the widest part of the lake. Some of these and other mine complexes contain abandoned mines that still contain exposed sediment and abandoned equipment – both things that pertain to HB-1163.

Let’s look at their size first. Starting at SH 242, heading southeast along the West Fork and then up into the East Fork watershed…

*#3 is a little more than 2 miles wide.*

*#4 is a little more than 3 miles wide.*

*And #5 in Porter on Caney Creek, which enters the East Fork San Jacinto above Lake Houston, is 2.5 miles wide.*

Dangers of Mining in Floodways

Virtually all of these areas sit in floodways or floodplains. #4 above looked like this during the May flood in 2024.

*Looking NW at West Fork during the May 2024 flood. Water flows right to left.* *Notice all the sediment being carried downstream (left) toward Lake Houston.*

Harris County Flood Control estimated that a 2-10 year rainfall caused that.

I measured the speed of water through this area by tracking floating debris with a drone. The water moved between 5 and 6 MPH, which can easily suspend sand and even some gravel.

Texas Water Development Board estimated that Lake Houston has lost about 25% of its volume due to sedimentation. The dirt swept downstream from sand mines has displaced room for water.

This is one reason why we need State Representative Charles Cunningham’s HB-1163. The House Natural Resources Committee will discuss the bill on Wednesday 3/19/25.

Those mines are supposed to be surrounded by dikes that protect them from 100-year floods. But in the photo above, the river has broken through the dikes of four pits.

Mines 50% Larger than Lake that Holds Your Water

I have calculated the surface area of the mines shown below at about 21 square miles.

*Orange outlines show sand mines currently upstream from Lake Houston area.* Surface area calculated *in Google Earth Pro* *at 21 square miles.*

But numerous sources, including the Texas Water Development Board, list the size of the lake at less than 20 square miles.

And the lake continues to lose volume, thanks in part to abandoned sand mines that have not been revegetated.

*This abandoned East Fork mine was supposed to be replanted with native vegetation to reduce erosion.* *But, it wasn’t…*

And during the an April 2023 flood, water swept through the mine and carried that sediment downstream.

Floodwaters sweep through abandoned sand mines on East and West Forks of San Jacinto — *Same mine on East Fork during a flood in April 2023. Stormwater breached the dikes and swept sediment downstream.*

How HB-1163 Would Help

When mines play out, owners should remove equipment and revegetate the property to reduce erosion. But not all do. That means the public must bear the costs or suffer the consequences.

HB-1163 would help remedy excessive sedimentation…at least in part. It would require sand mines to develop an abandonment plan for when they finish mining. It would also require them to post a performance bond that guarantees they execute it.

If they don’t execute the plan, they would forfeit the bond. So the City or County doesn’t get stuck with the tab for cleaning up the mess at public expense.

*Leaking abandoned equipment in abandoned sand mine*s *can poison public water.*

These are more examples of “life out of balance.” And they help explain why the confluence of the West Fork and Spring Creek usually looks like this after a rain.

New Sand Mining BMPs needed to offset sediment pollution. — *20 square miles of sand mines upstream on West Fork (right).* *These are the headwaters of Lake Houston, the water supply for 2 million people.* *Have a cool refreshing glass of muck anyone?*

How You Can Help

Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to HB1163 can do so until
the hearing is adjourned by visiting: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c390.

For those persons who will be testifying, information for in-person witness registration, can be found here: https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx

A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/. It starts at 8AM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Instructions related to public access to the meeting location are available at: https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/.

Please let the committee know that you support Rep. Charles Cunningham’s HB1163 and why.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/18/25

2758 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Cindy’s Redbud Nature Preserve: Restoring Life Out of Balance

3/16/25 – The Bayou Land Conservancy recently hosted a gathering at which Ray Audas of Montgomery gave an inspiring talk. Audas discussed his family’s efforts to preserve their land – Cindy’s Redbud Nature Preserve – in a natural state.

A few days later, I attended another meeting. There, a developer talked about building a luxury resort with a Fairmont Hotel among wetlands in a floodplain of the San Jacinto West Fork.

Life Out of Balance

The contrast could not have been greater. It reminded me of a brilliant 1982 documentary called Koyaanisqatsi. Godfrey Reggio directed the film. And Phillip Glass scored it.

The 90-minute film has not one word of dialog or narration. Yet it remains one of the most powerful, memorable, thought-provoking films I have ever seen in my life. See the trailer here.

Koyaanisqatsi includes two types of footage. It begins with long, languorous, pristine shots of undisturbed nature. They gradually transition to frenetic, fast-paced shots of a world devoid of nature. The editing is masterful. The film’s title comes from Hopi words that mean, “Life out of balance.”

As someone who researches and writes about flooding every day, I have reached the inescapable conclusion that our lives have lost balance. As in the film, we are devouring nature. And the loss is fundamentally changing us and our future safety.

Cindy’s Redbud Nature Preserve

That’s why I admire what Ray Audas, his wife Cindy Martin, and the Bayou Land Conservancy (BLC) are doing.

*Ray Audas addressing BLC members on 3/9/25*

BLC’s motto: “We preserve land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife.” Their tools: dedicated people armed with tenacity and conservation easements.

BLC announced the permanent protection of Cindy’s Redbud Nature Preserve last December. The 176-acre conservation area south of Montgomery, TX, comprises one of the last remaining vestiges of Texas tallgrass prairies.

“This vital land not only protects native species, but also provides essential benefits to local communities by supporting clean water, reducing flooding, and creating wildlife corridors in a rapidly developing area,” said BLC.

See more than a dozen pictures below, used with permission of the photographers.

*Ray Audas photo of Cindy’s Rebud Nature Preserve*

Less Than 1% of Texas’ Tallgrass Prairies Remain

The landowner’s early roots go back to Texas’ first settlers. With less than 1% of Texas’ tallgrass prairie remaining, lands like Cindy’s Redbud Nature Preserve are more important than ever. As housing and commercial developments expand, the need to conserve natural spaces becomes critical to maintaining our region’s water quality.

This prairie serves as a buffer, filtering runoff and feeding the waterways that supply drinking water for millions across the Greater Houston area.

“This is about more than just saving land,” said Jill Boullion, Executive Director of Bayou Land Conservancy. “It’s about ensuring clean water, wildlife habitat, and a sustainable future for our community in the face of growing development pressures.”

As Audas spoke at the BLC meeting, he showed pictures of the 176 acres that he and his wife own. He talked about their special connection to the land; hunting and fishing with his wife’s father; and their struggles to preserve the land in its natural state.

He also talked about the endangered Texas windmill grass on his property; a rare species of falcon called the cara cara; acres of bluebells; a 50-page inventory of natural wonders on the property; and the 25,000 pictures of nature he and his wife have taken.

*Ray Audas photo of hatchlings on Cindy’s Rebud Nature Preserve*

A naturalist from Texas Parks and Wildlife who visited the property said, “For this little bitty piece of property to have this type of diversity, it’s unbelievable.”

*Ray Audas photo. Family values found on Cindy’s Redbud Preserve.*

Below are six more photos of Cindy’s Preserve taken by BLC supporter Jeff Hodges.

And here are a couple taken by BLC employee Brooke Batchelor.

Help Wanted

Audas and Martin donated the conservation easement on their property. It is valued at $1.5 million. But the BLC could use help to protect the land and more properties like it.

Here’s how you can join the effort. And strike a blow for balance!

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/16/25

2756 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Romerica is Back!

3/15/25 – Romerica, the company that was going to build a 50-story high rise and marina at the south end of Woodland Hills Drive in Kingwood, is back with a new proposal. Now, they want to build a $575 per night, luxury eco-resort around wetlands between two golf courses of the Kingwood Country Club.

The land lays between the Barrington and Kingwood Lakes, east of Deer Ridge Park and Trailwood.

Developer Presents Proposal to TIRZ Board

One of the Romerica partners, Gabriel Haddad, presented his more modest proposal to the board members of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 on 3/13/25.

The TIRZ does not have the ability to grant permit approval for the development; they are not a regulatory body.

But the TIRZ does have the ability to support the development by financing infrastructure that could favorably influence the economics of the proposal.

And any contribution the TIRZ makes gives the TIRZ a seat at the table and a chance to influence the nature of the development.

During his presentation and the Q&A that followed, Haddad did not articulate his “ask.” The purpose of the two-part presentation seemed to be to familiarize the board with the project and give members a chance to ask questions.

Here are two presentations that show the current plans for Phase I and Phase II of the development.

Phase I Plans

Haddad calls his resort “River Grove.” The northern 50 acres contains a 400-room Fairmont hotel, 90 condominiums and 21 acres of wetlands.

*Phase I in white; Phase II outlined in purple. Barrington at bottom of frame. Woodland Hills Drive on left.*

Haddad plans to build around, not over the wetlands.

*The cross-hatched area represents wetlands.*

Phase II

A second, adjacent 54-acre parcel of land contains a second hotel with another 160 rooms and 37 “villas” built around 23 acres of wetlands.

Romerica would build these four to six years after Phase I. Phase II would have a much “higher level, more luxurious hotel than the Fairmont.” Haddad proclaimed there would be “nothing like it in Texas. Zero,” he said.

“Each of the villas would be 8,611 square feet.”

*Looking east from over Woodland Hills Drive at Romerica land for proposed Eco-Resort Complex on left. Kingwood Lake in upper left, Barrington in upper right.*

Phillip Ivy, Vice Chair of the TIRZ, said that the plans reminded him of a resort called South Hall in Franklin, Tennessee. He added, “They target a certain demographic and certain corporate demographics to come in for meetings and that sort of thing.”

Discussion of Traffic Impact

During the discussion of the ideas, board members asked about traffic and evacuation. To handle increased traffic, the intersection of Woodland Hills and Kingwood Drive would widen to accommodate turn lanes. They also discussed connecting Hamblen Road with Woodland Hills to alleviate Kingwood Drive traffic, but that is not financially feasible for decades given other TIRZ commitments.

They did not discuss what would happen if Hamblen went underwater during a flood. Nor did they discuss the increased traffic load on Kingwood Drive.

Tax-Increment Reinvestment Considerations

The City of Houston lets TIRZs (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones) keep a certain percentage of tax revenue increases within their boundaries. The TIRZ can apply that percentage to projects that help residents (like the Northpark Expansion Project) or projects that help developers expand the tax base.

For instance, a developer might need financial help to bring water or sewer lines to an area.

Another common “ask” is for help with landscaping or building trails to blend in with the surrounding community.

Some of those things might go beyond the developer’s cash flow. In which case, he/she might ask for a percentage of the increment. If the TIRZ board agrees, they donate X% to the project and keep the balance of the increment for new roads, road repairs, signalization of intersections, paying down bond debt, etc.

Haddad did not discuss what he needed. But he did say, “I am absolutely certain that the only way to make things happen is to work together.”

He added, “Each room (in the hotel) costs $785,000.” Altogether, he projected the entire project would require $450 million of investment.

Wetlands Preservation

“We’re not going to impact the flooding problem,” said Haddad. “We actually help it a little bit by improving the flow of the water.”

“We know that there’s a lot of wetlands. We’re not going to touch any of them.”

Because they don’t want to obstruct the flow of water, everything would be built on pylons. And building above Harvey-levels would “add cost pressure,” said Haddad.

*Area to be developed (left) on May 3, 2024 before flood* peak. *Looking E from over Woodland Hills.*

*One day later looking W from Kingwood County Club. Peak of May 2024 flood.*

According to Harris County Flood Control District, rainfall for that time period was between a 2-year and 10-year flood on the nearby San Jacinto West Fork.

Move your Maserati to higher ground! Romerica is back.

Next Steps

In the end, the Board asked Haddad for examples of comparable resorts and made no decisions. To be continued.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/15/25

2755 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Montgomery County Development Regs Revised, New Drainage Criteria on Hold

3/14/25 – Montgomery County Development Regs have been revised and became effective on 3/4/25.

The MoCo Engineer has posted them online. For convenience, I have also posted them under the Regulations Tab on the ReduceFlooding Reports Page.

The primary audience for the regulations is developers. However, neighbors near new developments may wish to study the regs, too, to ensure developers follow the rules.

On a separate but related note, MoCo’s new Drainage Criteria Manual is still on hold.

Changes

Montgomery County Subdivision Regulations were adopted in 1984 with an update in 2021. This rewrite includes many significant updates, such as:

Privacy fences at least 6-feet high between new commercial developments and existing single-family homes.
An entire section related to Traffic Engineering Study requirements.
Planting requirements along curbs
A new minimum lot width standard of 40′ for concrete curb and gutter and 65′ for asphalt open ditch lots
Commercial Drainage Plans will now be reviewed before acceptance of the entire permit submittal
A modified “impervious cover” threshold
New requirements for Stormwater Pollution Protection Plans.

What Developers Must Submit

Section Three outlines what developers must submit to Commissioners’ offices. This could come in handy if you ever need to submit a FOIA request. Requirements include:

Timelines
Maps
Construction traffic routing/access points
Drainage Reports and Studies
Spreadsheets used in calculations contained in those reports
Construction Plans including a Drainage Impact Analysis

Separate plans must be prepared for each subdivision.

Section 4 covers drainage plan requirements. Among other things, a drainage plan must provide for the disposition of runoff entering the development from adjacent property, runoff within the development and runoff leaving the development to an acceptable outfall.

Floodplain and Floodway Development

Section 5 specifies additional requirements for drainage studies when developers build in floodplains and floodways. For instance, they must obtain a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) from FEMA prior to the County’s approval of a drainage plan or study when:

Proposing to construct a detention pond or alter the floodway landscape
Relocating a stream

Northpark Woods and West Fork flood risk — *If Northpark Woods were being built today, the developer would have to comply with the new development regs because part of it is in the floodplain of the West Fork.*

A CLOMR is a FEMA comment on a proposed project that could impact flood-hazard areas. And it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, would meet National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards and warrant a change to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

Alteration of a stream or river also requires TCEQ approval and the approval of any governing entities within 1,000 feet.

Status of Updated Drainage Criteria Manual

On a separate note: MoCo will soon update its Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM). The county is still working off an old DCM from 2019 that was a minor revision of a 1989 document.

In February 2024, Montgomery County finally published a draft of a comprehensive new DCM. The draft brought the County’s standards up to date and in line with surrounding areas’.

Major changes included, but were not limited to:

Use of industry-standard modeling software by engineering companies submitting plans
A requirement that new developments produce “no adverse impact” on downstream areas
Mandates to use certain “roughness coefficient standards” when calculating flood peaks.
Stipulations that all projects shall mitigate and attenuate runoff for 5-, 10-, and 100-year storm events
Stormwater detention for all developments regardless of size
A discussion of flood mitigation measures
Identification of entities responsible for maintenance of stormwater detention facilities, channels, etc.
Adoption of Atlas-14 rainfall rates
A minimum detention rate of .55 acre-feet per acre (almost up to Harris County’s rate)
Prohibition of hydrologic-timing surveys (also known as flood-routing or beat-the-peak studies).

I’ll let you know when/if MOCO adopts these new drainage standards.

By the way, people always ask me why I list “days since Harvey,” on all my posts. I want to dramatize how long political change takes. And this is a prime example.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/14/25

2754 Days since Hurricane Harvey

How Wide Will Northpark Be When Done?

3/13/25 – Just how wide will Northpark be when construction is complete? After the UnionPacific Railroad finished installing concrete road crossing panels last week we now have a visual cue. It’s going to be WIDE! With a capital W! Approximately three times wider than it currently is. See the pictures below taken this morning.

*Looking E.* *See concrete panels in railroad tracks.*

Northpark will expand from its current four lanes to 10 with two 10-foot-wide sidewalks.

In addition to accommodating extra traffic, one of the main reasons for expanding Northpark is to create an all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.

Why So Many Lanes?

The 10 lanes will include:

Six lanes over a bridge that spans the tracks and Loop 494. It has yet to be built. The bridge will carry three lanes in each direction.
Two surface lanes on the north/outbound side of Northpark will let traffic turn left or right onto Loop 494.
Two surface lanes on the south/inbound side of Northpark will let Loop 494 traffic from the north and south turn onto Northpark.
Two sidewalks (one on each side of Northpark) will accommodate both pedestrians and bicyclists.

*Northpark looking W toward 59. Again, concrete panels in UPRR tracks indicate eventual width of traffic corridor.*

Loop 494 Width

Loop 494 will also expand to accommodate more traffic.

*Looking North along Loop 494 at Northpark. The old road will expand to 5 lanes, two in each direction plus one dedicated turn lane from each direction.*

*Looking S at Loop 494 from opposite direction.*

The schematic below shows how the intersection will eventually look.

Elsewhere on Northpark

Between Russell Palmer Road and Loop 494, contractors are making good progress with the drainage that goes under the expanded roadway. On the North/Outbound side, the underground work is almost complete. And this morning, they were stabilizing the road bed.

*Stabilizing road bed on outbound Northpark (north side).*

At this morning’s Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 Board Meeting, project manager Ralph De Leon stated that contractors would soon bore underneath the railroad tracks. Once they connect the drainage on the east and west sides, they can begin paving. So you should see the pace of progress accelerate soon.

*Spreading more road base and compacting it.*

On the inbound/south side of Northpark, contractors are also making excellent progress with the drainage after resolving more utility conflicts.

*Looking W at inbound side (left). The old concrete has been removed and drainage work is in full swing.*

*Closer shot of new drainage on inbound Northpark.*

Part of Phase II May Be Accelerated

Also at the board meeting this morning, De Leon introduced the idea of moving Phase II stormwater detention work forward. Phase II of Northpark expansion covers the area from Woodland Hills Drive to a block west of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.

Phase II calls for building a detention basin to compensate for extra runoff caused by the road expansion. Just as the entry ponds at US 59 compensate for much of the extra runoff in Phase I.

De Leon discussed a combination of two types of detention. Together, they could add as much as 100 acre-feet of stormwater detention capacity to the project. They include:

In-line detention within the Diversion Ditch itself, down to the first bend south of Northpark.
A large, regional detention basin near where the Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch come together.

He stated that, right now, much of the water coming down Bens Branch shoots past the Diversion Ditch. That’s because the Diversion Ditch splits off the main part of Bens Branch at almost 90 degrees.

*Diversion Ditch = white. Bens Branch = red.*

Partially as a consequence, during Harvey, 100% of the businesses along Bens Branch in Town Center, dozens of homes, and Kingwood High School flooded badly and still have elevated flood risk.

For instance, during Harvey, large parts of Town Center had 4- to 8-feet of water. Moreover, 12 people died at a retirement home in Town Center as a result of evacuation or immediately after it.

A detention basin at the junction of Bens Branch and the Diversion Ditch would slow incoming water down. That would give the stormwater a chance to drain into each channel the way it was originally designed to.

The volume of stormwater detention that De Leon discussed would provide enough to accommodate Phase II, insufficiently mitigated upstream development, future expansion, and part of HCFCD’s plans for the Diversion Ditch.

The community will need it eventually, especially when Northpark Drive bridges over the two channels are raised. The higher roadway will eliminate chokepoints that let more floodwater flow downstream. So, building more detention now could protect people along both channels – and sooner rather than later.

Engineering details are still being worked out. The board took no action on it this morning, nor were they asked to.

For More Information

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project web pages. For more about topics raised in this post, see:

UPRR:

Evacuation Route:

Plan Details:

21/07/28 Plan Details

Phase II:

24/03/08 TXDoT, LHRA Engage Kingwood at Northpark Phase II Meeting

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/13/24

2753 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Note: Corrected volume of stormwater detention on 3/15/25. 300 acre-feet changed to 100 per Ralph De Leon

NHC Announces Changes to 2025 Hurricane Forecasts

3/12/25 – The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has announced a series of changes to 2025 hurricane forecasts. The changes affect cone graphics, risk maps, prediction periods, forecast uncertainty, and forecast frequency. Let me attempt to summarize and simplify a highly complex announcement.

Experimental Cone Graphic with Depiction of Inland Watches/Warnings

Along with its normal cone graphics, NHC will offer experimental cone graphics that feature inland watches and warnings. The new experimental graphics will now contain diagonal pink and blue lines in areas where hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect simultaneously.

The current cone graphic that only shows coastal watches and warnings will remain. But research showed that adding inland watches and warnings could help communicate wind risk for those who live away from coasts.

The new, experimental graphics take longer to produce. So, they may appear online up to 30 minutes later than the regular graphics. Here’s an example.

*Blue = TS Warning, Red = Hurricane Warning, Yellow = TS Watch, Striped = Simultaneous Hurricane Watch and TS Warning*

Rip-Current Risk Maps

An increase in fatalities from rip currents during the past decade prompted this innovation. NHC will compile a national rip current risk map from data provided by local National Weather Service offices. It will cover the current day, the next day, and a composite showing the highest risk for both days. However, it will not contain information on surf height.

For more information on NWS surf zone forecasts, rip current risk categories, and rip current safety, visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-forecasts.

Earlier Warnings for Potential Tropical Cyclones

NHC will now issue potential tropical cyclone advisories up to 72 before the anticipated arrival of a storm. That’s up from 48 hours for watches and 36 hours for warnings. The longer lead times will give people more time to prepare when there is a high risk of significant damage.

Earlier Forecasts for Hurricane Wind Radii Forecasts

Until now, NHC has issued forecasts of storm widths two days in advance. They will now provide those forecasts three days in advance.

Those same forecasts (which also include wave height), will now show the height in meters instead of feet, based on requests from the public.

The forecast wind radii are available in real-time in a geographic information system (GIS) friendly format at the following link: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gis/.

Error-Cone Forecasts

As storm forecasting becomes more accurate, error cones are shrinking. This year’s error cones will be 3-5% smaller than last year’s, based on a 36-hour forecast period. 96-hour cones could shrink as much as 9%.

However, this may fool some people who misunderstand what the cones mean. The cone represents the probable track of the center of a storm, not its width.

A storm’s center has an equal chance of tracking along any point within the cone. If people think the cone indicates a storm’s width, they might be lulled into a false sense of security if they are outside a smaller cone.

Frequency of Watch/Warning Updates

NHC will now issue storm watch/warning updates eight times a day instead of four whenever coastal watches or warnings are already in effect. They actually instituted this change last year. So, this is a reminder. You can check for full updates every three hours.

That’s it for the summary of NHC’s changes to 2025 hurricane forecasts. Here also are some helpful links to use throughout the upcoming hurricane season.

Where to Find NHC Information

Live Stream

NHC will livestream forecast updates simultaneously on YouTube and Facebook whenever an area of interest exists that may pose a threat to land. NHC will generally provide these updates around 10:30 AM 4:30 PM CDT.

Outreach

NHC provides outreach and education throughout the year on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NWSNHC.

Real-Time Updates on X

For the Atlantic basin (which includes the Gulf and Caribbean), see @NHC_Atlantic.

For storm surge reports, see @NHC_Surge.

Web

National Hurricane Center: www.hurricanes.gov or https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Explanation of Tropical Weather Outlook Graphics: www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnhcgraphics.shtml#GTWO

National Hurricane Preparedness Week: www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.

Hurricane Season Starts June 1

It’s getting to be that time of year again. Early predictions from Colorado State University indicate this should be an average hurricane season based on sea surface temperatures, the El Niño cycle, and accumulated cyclone energy.

But don’t take anything for granted. The I-storm this year will be named Imelda. Remember that one! Names recycle every six years. So prepare for a rerun.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/12/25

2752 Days since Hurricane Harvey

ABC13 Exposes Progress of Kingwood Drainage Projects

3/11/25 at 5 PM and updated at 7 PM – This afternoon at 6 PM, ABC13’s Nick Natario aired a segment on the progress of Kingwood drainage projects since the passage of the 2018 flood bond.

The publication of a new interactive map by the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) sparked renewed interest in flood issues – for all the wrong reasons.

*Natario (left) interviewing Rehak (right) next to Taylor Gully this afternoon.*

Map Misleads

The map showed the status of all flood-mitigation projects in the county. It also showed a lot of misleading information. Specifically, it called projects complete that were not.

The map marked the Woodridge Village and Taylor Gully Improvement Projects in Kingwood as “complete.”
It marked the project to add more floodgates to the Lake Houston Dam as “complete.”
Ditto for the TC Jester Detention Basin upstream on Cypress Creek – “complete.”
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch that hasn’t seen an excavator? They marked that “in progress.”

All of those assertions are false and misleading.

HCFCD may have completed parts of the projects, such as preliminary engineering reviews. But their map suggested entire projects were complete. However, in reality, absolutely no construction projects were completed to reduce flood risk on any of these projects.

In fairness, though, HCFCD did complete some maintenance projects after Harvey. And they did buy the Woodridge Village property from Perry Homes. But they have not completed any improvements to it.

Natario’s segment first aired at 4 this afternoon before I could get this post up. By the time it aired the second time at 6, HCFCD has agreed to remove the misleading information from their new map.

Suggestion for HCFCD

I talked with the flood control district this morning. They are using old databases that were not designed to do what they want to do. And so, they say, they are having translation issues with the data.

That’s fair. But please, HCFCD, work out the kinks before publishing the data. After you have proofed it, publish it then.

Don’t call a project complete because you completed a preliminary engineering study when you haven’t implemented any of the study’s recommendations.

That’s very misleading. Provide more detail and context.

People could buy homes based on your misleading information that later flood. Or the community could be denied a flood-mitigation grant because a bureaucrat a thousand miles away in Washington thinks the project is already complete.

I have invited HCFCD to publish a guest post on this issue to present their point of view. But they have not provided it yet.

If you are concerned about flood mitigation in the Lake Houston area, here is a link to the ABC13 segment by Natario that aired at 4 PM before I could get this post up.

Between the 4 and 6 PM airings, HCFCD removed the projects inappropriately labeled as “completed” from its map. The revised map now only shows work in progress.

*HCFCD revised interactive map. All projects previously reported as “complete have been removed.*

Thank you, ABC13! And thank you HCFCD.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/11/25 and updated after the ABC segment aired

2751 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.

HCFCD Calls Projects Complete that Have Not Even Started

3/10/25 – In the last week, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) launched a new interactive map at the bottom of its homepage. In it, HCFCD calls many projects complete that have not even started.

The map supposedly contains the status of each project in the county along with links to more project details.

However, the information is riddled with errors. The map also contains several usability issues that place barriers between people and information.

Together, the issues show a disturbing lack of attention to detail and quality control that undermines the credibility of HCFCD.

Examples of Incorrectly Coded Projects

For instance, you may be pleased to know that the project to add more floodgates to the Lake Houston Dam is “complete.” It’s not. Ask Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger who just provided an update on the ongoing engineering of the gates.

*This and all other screen captures below taken on 3/10/25. Note project status in lower right corner.*

Neither are the projects complete to add stormwater-detention capacity to Woodridge Village and to improve Taylor Gully. However, the map shows them completed also.

HCFCD also marked the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Project “in progress.” It’s not.

“None of this information is true!”
– Bob Rehak

With the exception of the Woodridge project, the District has not turned one shovel of dirt on any of the projects above.

The District tabled the Woodridge project in November 2023 when it decided to seek HUD funding to complete it. Here’s how HCFCD left the site.

*“Completed” Woodridge Village Detention Basin. Photo taken today, 3/10/25.*

HCFCD even marked the TC Jester Detention Basins on Cypress Creek complete.

However, that project won’t even go out for bid until the fourth quarter of this year.

*From HCFCD’s 12-month Bid Calendar*. *Arrow added.*

HCFCD did not respond to questions about the errors, nor did it take the error-ridden, interactive map down as of close of business today.

Usability Flaws, Too

In addition to the project-status errors, the map also contains some serious usability flaws.

For instance, clicking on the link for more information about a project sometimes takes one to a page that asks you to sign into “ArcGIS Online.”

But that requires HCFCD employee credentials.

However, take heart. If you wait several minutes, information may eventually load OFFSCREEN and ABOVE the sign-in prompt…where few would ever bother to look for it. Very clever!

A source familiar with Harris County Universal Services, the county’s IT department, attributed the bizarre performance of the map, in part, to incompetent coders and project managers with forged credentials working on H1-B visas.

That may be an even bigger problem! If you think Elon Musk rummaging through IRS data is an issue, imagine foreign nationals rummaging through your Harris County tax information. But I digress.

Why An Untested Map?

The sudden appearance of the map follows fast on the heels of the Harris County Commissioners Court meeting on February 27, 2025.

In the meeting, Commissioners adopted several measures to limit the financial impact to the county in case DOGE rescinds $1.1 billion of previously promised HUD disaster-relief and flood-mitigation funding.

In the same meeting, Commissioners also demanded an update from HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen about the status of every project. The reason: so they could make sure so-called “equity projects” were completed in low-to-moderate income areas before those in more affluent areas.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he didn’t want to wait “until all the money was gone.” He added, “I know there’s not enough money to do all the projects we talked about and everybody else knows it.”

I hope Ms. Petersen provides better information to her bosses than to the public. She just received a $90,000 raise. You could hire several proofreaders for that!

No telling how many errors are embedded in the interactive HCFCD map; I am not familiar with every project in the county. If you know of other errors in projects near you, please send me a note through the contact form on this website.

Posted Bob Rehak on 3/10/25

2750 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.