1/7/2025 – In the week after a holiday lull, Northpark construction is ramping back up and should reach some milestones later this week. According to the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website:
A paving crew will begin pouring concrete for new lanes beginning Friday January 10th in front of PNC Bank between US and Loop 494 on the north side of Northpark.
Another crew will demolish the existing eastbound lanes of Northpark from Kings Mill to Russell Palmer Road.
In other news, crews will continue:
Installing reinforced concrete box culverts between Caliber Collision and the Extra Space Storage facility to accommodate new westbound access roads.
Switching water services from the Porter Special Utility District to the City of Houston.
Grading the area for a sidewalk between Loop 494 and US59 on the north side of Northpark.
See the pictures below, all taken on Tuesday morning, 1/7/25.
New Lanes and Sidewalk Between Loop 494 and 59
New westbound lanes and a sidewalk will go in the area being prepped to the right of existing traffic.Looking E toward 494 from same location.
Culvert Installation under Westbound Turn Lanes
The first three shots below show the culvert installation east of 494 from different angles.
Looking W toward 59. Drainage work from Caliber Collision (lower right) has reached the area between Dunkin’ Donuts and Public Storage.
This will be the area where two westbound surface turn lanes split off from traffic continuing over a bridge that spans Loop 494 and the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks.
Closer shot of current work area. The smaller pipe will drain lateral areas.Close up of box culvert installation. Note size of culverts relative to men on both sides.
Loop 494 North and South of Northpark
Elsewhere, new southbound lanes both north and south of Northpark have been completed.
Looking N along 494 from over Northpark. Old lanes on right closed off and awaiting demolition.Looking south across same intersection. Area on left is awaiting demo and reconstruction.
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1/6/2025 – Before New Year’s Day, I posted about the lack of best management practices (BMPs) at the Foster Elementary reconstruction site in Kingwood. A contractor let sediment-laden runoff escape the site, fill the street and flow into unprotected storm drains. Photos taken yesterday after a storm front passed show that it’s still happening.
Partial List of Sediment Control BMPs for Construction Sites
The EPA considers sediment a major source of pollution. And not following best practices to control it can clog storm drains, channels and streams, raising flood risk. I quote from the Agency’s brochure: “Sediment fills up storm drains and catch basins to carry water away from roads and homes, which increases the potential for flooding.”
To reduce the potential for flooding, the EPA recommends several best practices. They include, but are not limited to:
1. Silt Fencing around the perimeter to intercept and slow down runoff, so sediment can settle before water flows off the construction site.
2. Stormwater-Inlet Protection, such as sandbags, placed around stormwater inlets to capture sediment before it enters the storm drainage system.
3. Sediment Control Logs (Wattles) filled with straw or other materials to capture sediment before it leaves the site.
4. Mulching with organic materials such as straw, hay, or wood chips to help to protect soil.
5. Sediment Basins & Traps to capture sediment from runoff until it settles out of suspension.
6. Erosion Control Mats or Blankets to stabilize disturbed soil and prevent erosion.
7. Stormwater Diversion Channels to direct runoff to sediment-control ponds or a controlled discharge areas.
8. Construction Entrance/Exit Stabilization with gravel to minimize tracking of mud onto roads from construction vehicles.
9. Geotextiles to stabilize soil.
Slight Improvement, But Still Lacking
After the last post, the Humble ISD contractor did add straw wattles (#3 – sediment control logs) in front of the main construction site entrance.
But storm drain inlets remained unprotected. And part of the perimeter lacked silt fence.
As a result, sediment still escaped the site, entered the street, and entered the storm sewer. See the photos below taken by Chris Summers, a local resident and retired commercial photographer, after a recent storm front dropped .84 inches of rain on 1/5/25.
Entrance to construction site shows wattle roll that was not present for previous storm.
While that showed some improvement, other parts of the perimeter still lacked protection and let water escape.
No silt fence.Wattle roll did not cover the critical area, letting sediment laden water escape into storm sewer.Also, inlet not protected with sand bags.
Summers says he took the photos above after the storm front on 1/5/25 passed through.
How much effort does it take to drop a couple sand bags next to a storm sewer inlet? Could it cost much more than coffee and a danish? There’s just no excuse for this.
Sound Off to the School Board
I have already emailed members of the Humble ISD school board and suggest you do, too. We have lots of good contractors in the area that know how to follow best practices.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/6/25with photos by Chris Summers
2687 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/2025/01/079-031-storm-runoff.jpg?fit=1000%2C563&ssl=15631000adminadmin2025-01-06 20:38:462025-01-07 06:53:31Contractor Only Partially Complies with BMPs at Foster Elementary Reconstruction Site
1/5/2025 – At a Community Resilience Flood Task Force Meeting in December last year, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) announced that it would be kicking off a new feasibility study in Q1 2025 designed to make half of Harris County SAFER from flooding.
SAFER stands for Solutions for Advancing Flood Mitigation, Equity, and Resilience. The study area includes 11 of Harris County’s 23 watersheds.
HCFCD issued this statement about the study.
Overview of Study from HCFCD
The SAFER Study has the potential to address one of the most impactful threats to the Houston/Harris County region: severe storm events that cause catastrophic flooding.
This study will look broadly across the county and consider not only the effectiveness of large-scale flood mitigation projects within strategic locations, but also how they will function collectively as a system to provide flood mitigation, and the associated benefits, across broad regions of the county.
With the SAFER Study, the Flood Control District will be seeking to:
Identify substantial, wide-ranging flood mitigation across the region rather than depending solely on smaller, incremental projects that address the needs slowly.
Conduct the study in a way that allows the Flood Control District to identify flood risk reduction projects that could be cost-shared with the Federal government and constructed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Identify project recommendations based on comprehensive benefits, which include social effects and environmental quality, as well as regional and national economic impacts.
Identify opportunities to integrate nature-based solutions.
The study area spans across eleven (11) watersheds within Harris County, including:
Brays Bayou
Buffalo Bayou
Clear Creek
Cypress Creek
Greens Bayou
Halls Bayou
Hunting Bayou
Little Cypress Creek
Sims Bayou
White Oak Bayou
Vince Bayou
The goals of this study effort are to reduce flood risks and strengthen resiliency within Harris County, to be grounded in the principles of equity, to pursue larger transformational solutions with broad benefits, and to better prepare the region to withstand both the flood risks of today and those of the foreseeable future.
The SAFER Study will evaluate traditional flood mitigation measures, such as increasing channel capacity and construction of new stormwater detention basins, as well as new options including large-scale stormwater tunnels, and non-structural measures.
The study will consider social, economic, and environmental benefits and impacts while evaluating flood mitigation effectiveness.
While the Flood Control District will be leading the study, we will be following federal laws, regulations, and guidance applicable for feasibility studies of water resources development projects, such as the SAFER Study.
We will be working with USACE for input throughout the study process to ensure recommendations are developed that follow USACE policy and guidelines.
We anticipate initiating the SAFER Study during the first quarter of 2025.
Saving the Worst Flooding for Last
Twelve watersheds are not included in the study. Among them are two that had the worst flooding in the county during Hurricane Harvey: the San Jacinto and Spring Creek Watersheds.
Chart showing feet above flood stage of 33 gages of misc. bayous in Harris County during Harvey.
So much for the oft repeated promise to fix the worst flooding first. HCFCD did not explain why it is including only half the watersheds.
From Hurricane Harvey through Q3 2024, HCFCD spent $1,444,838,886 on mitigation and maintenance in all of the county’s 23 watersheds, excluding county-wide projects.
Of that total, the 11 watersheds included in the SAFER study have received $1,132,471,139. That’s 78% of the total.
The 12 watersheds excluded from the SAFER study have received only 22% of all HCFCD spending.
Data supplied to ReduceFlooding.com in response to a FOIA request.
Here’s how the forgotten majority looks in a pie chart.
More than half of the watersheds have received less than a quarter of all HCFCD spending since Harvey.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/5/25
2686 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/2025/01/SAFER-spending-e1736129367744.png?fit=1100%2C650&ssl=16501100adminadmin2025-01-05 20:08:452025-01-05 20:38:37HCFCD Kicking Off Study to Make Half of Harris County SAFER
1/4/25 – In a Houston-area-flooding context, we usually consider erosion as a negative. It reduces the capacity of streams, channels and Lake Houston. It can also form sediment dams like mouth bars that back water up.
But elsewhere, many consider erosion a tourist attraction. And I’m not just talking about the Grand Canyon.
Welcome to Sedona
During the holidays, I took a break from blogging about flooding to join a family reunion near colorful Sedona, Arizona. We actually stayed in the Village of Oak Creek, an unincorporated area about five miles south of the main part of Sedona.
Always alert for photo ops, I launched my drone from the back porch of our rented home and captured some photos of red rock, blue sky and spectacular erosion.
Looking NWSame angle but closer. Notice different color in uppermost strata.Looking NE. Closer shot, still looking NE. Again, notice different colors in upper layers.
The rocks around Sedona are famously red due to their high concentration of iron oxide. Millions of years ago, the Sedona region was covered by a vast shallow sea that deposited layers of sediments rich in iron minerals.
Over time, these iron-rich layers were uplifted due to tectonic activity. The iron in the rocks reacted with oxygen, resulting in oxidation – the same chemical reaction that gives rust its red color.
Then, erosion sculpted the landscape – over millions of years. It exposed these oxidized rock layers, which now dominate the area and give Sedona its iconic red hue. But why did the land erode in some areas and not others?
Caprock Protects Some Areas from Erosion
The spectacularly steep cliffs around Sedona can be attributed to the uneven distribution of what geologists call “caprock.” The term refers to the hard, erosion-resistant rock layers that sit atop mesas, buttes, and cliffs. These layers protect the softer rock below from erosion, helping to shape the striking red rock formations that make Sedona famous.
The caprock was formed from ancient sand dunes and marine deposits about 250–275 million years ago during the Permian period. Over time, these deposits solidified into dense rock layers responsible for Sedona’s intricate geological artistry.
The Value of Rust and Erosion
Sedona reportedly received approximately 4 million visitors last year, rivaling the Grand Canyon. That’s more people than live in Houston and almost as many as live in Harris County. Sedona’s stunning red rock formations and outdoor recreational opportunities make it a major attraction for both domestic and international travelers.
Rainfall and Flooding
Sedona receives an average of 19 inches of rainfall per year – less than 40% of Houston’s average rainfall. However, Sedona still experiences three types of flooding:
Flash Flooding:
Sudden, intense thunderstorms during the monsoon can cause flash floods. The steep terrain and rocky surfaces around Sedona lead to rapid runoff, overwhelming dry washes and creek beds.
Flash floods are particularly hazardous in areas like Oak Creek Canyon, where narrow canyons can funnel water quickly.
River Flooding:
Sedona’s primary waterway, Oak Creek, can flood after prolonged rainfall or snowmelt from higher elevations. Heavy storms, particularly in winter, can cause the creek to rise significantly, affecting nearby properties and recreational areas.
Urban Flooding:
Heavy rain can overwhelm local drainage systems, leading to localized flooding in lower-lying areas.
Oak Creek flooded badly from severe winter storms in 2005. One of the most significant floods in recent memory, it damaged homes, businesses and bridges.
In 2023, heavy rains led to flash floods that temporarily closed hiking trails and roads.
Such floods sculpted the landscape you see in the photos above.
More About Sedona
Spanish explorers first passed through the area as early as the 1500s.
Homesteading began in the late 1800s.
Sedona became a popular filming location for Western movies due to its dramatic landscapes. Films like “Stagecoach” (1939) and “Broken Arrow” (1950) were shot in the area, bringing international attention to Sedona.
Improved roads and infrastructure led to a tourism boom beginning in the 1950s.
Today, Sedona is known for its outdoor activities (hiking, mountain biking, and jeep tours), yoga retreats, art galleries, and night skies. Re: the last point, Sedona is designated as an International Dark Sky Community. Star gazers enjoy freedom from “light pollution” – there were no streetlights where we stayed!
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/4/2025
2685 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20241227-DJI_20241227172839_0609_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-01-04 11:08:102025-01-04 19:30:44Sedona: Erosion on a Spectacular Scale
1/3/25 – Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s Meteorologist, provided this official holiday tornado report. Southeast Texas experienced a highly active period of severe weather from 12/24/24 through 12/28/24. It included several tornado outbreaks on both the 26th and 28th.
Said Lindner, “While it is not uncommon to have severe weather and tornados in southeast Texas during the winter months, it is a bit unusual to have back-to-back outbreaks one day apart.”
“Most tornados in this region are small and of low-end intensity (EF-0 or EF-1). It is rare to see the higher intensity EF-3 and longer track tornadoes here locally, but they do occasionally happen,” said Lindner.
He provided the following holiday tornado report on the two main days.
December 26th Tornadoes
Five tornados occurred across southeast Texas on Thursday, the 26th. They included 2 EF-1 and 3 EF-0 tornados.
EF-1 tornados (on the Enhanced Fujita scale) have winds from 73-112 mph that can cause moderate damage.
EF-0 tornados have winds less than 73 mph that generally cause light damage.
1. El Campo TX (Wharton County)
Rating: EF-1
Peak Wind: 95mph
Path Length: .50 mile
Path Width: 50 yards
This tornado began three miles northeast of El Campo and was on the ground for roughly half of a mile. The tornado mostly moved across open farmland, but one well constructed outbuilding (barn) was impacted and destroyed yielding the EF-1 rating. It is possible this tornado was stronger over the open farm fields, but without any available damage indicators, this will remain unknown.
2.Southwest Harris County (NW of Meadows Place)
Rating: EF-1
Peak Wind: 90mph
Path Length: .05 mile
Path Width: 25 yards
A brief tornado occurred one mile north-northwest of Meadows Place in southwest Harris County along Plumbrook Drive. It damaged a few houses and overturned a delivery truck. One of the houses sustained roof and outside-facing wall damage resulting in the EF-1 damage rating.
3. Northern Liberty County (SE of Cleveland TX)
Rating: EF-0
Peak Wind: 75mph
Path Length: 6.8 miles
Path Width: 50 yards
This tornado began nine miles northwest of Dayton Lakes and moved eastward across mostly rural northern Liberty County. It damaged trees and two mobile homes consistent with winds of 65-75mph, earning it an EF-0 rating.
4.Lake Houston/Huffman (NE Harris County)
Rating: EF-0
Peak Wind: 60mph
Path Length: 2.1 miles
Path Width: N/A
HPD Lake Patrol and other video confirmed a tornado (waterspout) over Lake Houston north of FM 1960 that moved eastward across the lake and moved ashore along the eastern side of the lake in a wooded area. Survey teams were unable to find any damage near where the tornado reached the shoreline and the tornado dissipated quickly while moving onshore.
5.Dayton TX (Liberty County)
Rating: EF-0
Peak Wind: 60mph
Path Length: 1.1 miles
Path Width: 25 yards
A small tornado developed seven miles west of Dayton and moved across mainly open farm and ranch land. It downed a few trees. That helped storm spotters that captured the funnel cloud on video confirm that it was, in fact a tornado.
December 28 Tornados
Linder also said, “A more significant and damaging tornado event occurred from late morning to late afternoon on the 28th. Five tornadoes occurred from two primary supercell thunderstorms that moved across the area. Unfortunately, these tornadoes resulted in more significant damage with injuries and one fatality. Two EF-3, one EF-2, and two EF-1 tornados moved over the area.”
Paths of 5 tornados associated with two supercells on 12/28/24.
1. Brookshire Tornado (Waller and western Harris Counties)
Rating: EF-1
Peak Wind: 100mph
Path Length: 10.9 miles
Path Width: 150 yards
This tornado began west of FM 2855 in southern Waller County three miles north of Brookshire where a mobile home was moved off its foundation. The tornado continued northeast where it impacted a small area of houses south of Beckendorff Road and Noel Lane.
It rolled and completely destroyed one mobile home. Several other structures sustained roof and window damage. It also overturned vehicles in a driveway. Damage fell into both EF-0 and low-end EF-1 categories. The tornado continued northeast into a newly built subdivision where it destroyed 1-2 houses under construction and a brick privacy wall.
It then crossed FM 529 at Pitts Road just south of a Centerpoint power substation where it knocked down a power pole. Debris fanned across an open field and a subdivision detention basin.
The tornado then entered the Windward Subdivision near its southeastern edge. There, it damaged roofs, windows, and fences of 5-10 homes. One house lost all south-facing windows along with portions of the roof’s deck and outside facing wall siding.
This qualifies as EF-1 damage with winds estimated around 100 mph. The tornado weakened as it moved north-northeast and dissipated west of John Paul Landing in northwest Harris County.
Brookshire Tornado Path
2. Porter Heights to Splendora Tornado (Montgomery County)
Rating: EF-3
Peak Wind: 140mph
Path Length: 10.3 miles
Path Width: .65 mile
Injuries: 4
The same supercell that produced a Katy tornado continued northeast across northwest Harris County. It crossed the Bridgeland subdivision, then SH 249 near Spring Cypress, and continued northeast toward I-45/SH99. Both radar and Hooks Airport staff observed rotation, but not on the ground.
Porter Heights/Splendora Tornado Pathon 12/28/24.
As this storm entered Montgomery County, the velocity increased and radar showed a debris ball near Porter Heights. Wind removed the entire roof structures of 1-2 homes. One brick house suffered complete outside wall failure and several interior wall failures. The twister also rolled a nearby mobile home, completely destroying it.
Damage indicated winds in the 140-145 mph EF-3 range.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist
The tornado then crossed FM 1314 where it destroyed large sections of a metal rental facility and a nearby mobile home. At this point, damage indicated high-end EF-1 or low-end EF-2.
The tornado weakened some while moving northeast across several rural streets and houses, but still caused significant tree damage. It then intensified as it moved into the Pickering Road area southwest of FM 1485. The twister heavily damaged or destroyed several RV’s and mobile homes. It completely removed the roof of Fire Station 154 and damaged three fire trucks. The twister even picked one up and rotated it 90 degrees.
North of FM 1485, it damaged several homes before crossing SH 242 into the Harrington Trails subdivision, removing nearly the entire roof of one home. The storm also completely destroyed several houses under construction.
The tornado continued northeast toward Splendora High School and dissipated in an open field after it crossed FM 2090.
Most of the storm’s track qualified as EF-1 or EF-2. Only a small portion near the beginning in Porter Heights rated EF-3. Four people suffered injuries.
3. Liverpool to Hillcrest Tornado (Brazoria County)
Rating: EF-2
Peak Wind: 125mph
Path Length: 8.8 miles
Path Width: 300 yards
Injuries: 5
Fatalities: 1
This tornado began four miles ENE of Liverpool along CR 172 in a rural area and tracked into Hillcrest southeast of Alvin. Most damage indicated EF-0 or EF-1 strength. But at Walt Disney Elementary School several large sections of the roof were ripped off and portions of an exterior wall failed. That indicated EF-2 (125mph) strength.
The storm also flipped and destroyed a mobile home causing a fatality. The tornado dissipated prior to reaching the Galveston County line.
Brazoria County Tornado Pathon 12/28/24
4. Dickinson to Bacliff (Galveston County)
Rating: EF-1
Peak Wind: 90mph
Path Length: 7.40 miles
Path width: 850 yards
The Brazoria County supercell produced another tornado near the intersection of Hughes Road between I-45 and HWY 3. It moved northeast across FM 517 and HWY 146, causing EF-1 damage to several homes with its 90 mph winds east of Dickinson High School. Along most of its path, the storm featured EF-0 (60-80 mph) winds. It downed trees, fences, and power poles and caused some roof damage.
The tornado continued east across Galveston Bay and reached into Chambers County.
Dickinson to Bacliff Tornado Pathon 12/28/24
5. Chambers County
Rating: EF-3
Peak Wind: 140mph (Chambers)/160mph (Jefferson)
Path Length: 22 miles
Path Width: 400 yards
Injuries: 1 (Chambers) and (4 injuries in Jefferson County)
The Brazoria and Galveston County supercell intensified over Galveston Bay before tracking into Chambers County near Smith Point. The tornado destroyed several mobile homes along FM 1941, where EF-3 damage was noted.
The tornado then crossed HWY 124 destroying high-tension power-transmission towers with 140mph winds. The towers supplied power to High Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. Winds also lofted and rolled a pickup truck near Smith Point Road resulting in one injury.
This was a significant tornado. It impacted mainly rural areas of Chambers County before crossing all of southern Jefferson County where high end EF-3 (160 mph winds) damage occurred in Hampshire TX. The tornado then moved between Port Arthur and Sabine Pass into southern Louisiana.
Chambers to Jefferson County Tornado Pathon 12.28/24
The holidays are usually happy times. But severe weather made them less so for many people in 2024.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/3/24 based on information provided by Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner
2684 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/12.28-tornados-e1735935355135.png?fit=1100%2C567&ssl=15671100adminadmin2025-01-03 14:23:472025-01-04 05:16:28Official Holiday Tornado Report from HCFCD
12/29/24 – Several rounds of intense rain in the past week triggered a slew of emails from concerned residents about the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Chris Summers, a retired commercial photographer, included pictures of the runoff from the Foster Elementary site in Kingwood’s Trailwood Village. Contractors recently cleared the site for reconstruction of the school. Summer’s photos illustrate the dangers from sediment pollution and the need for better construction management practices.
A Major Source of Sediment Pollution
Construction site runoff is a major source of sediment pollution. Construction typically involves large-scale disturbance of soil, which can significantly increase the amount of sediment carried away by stormwater runoff. This sediment-laden runoff can have serious environmental impacts, especially when it enters local water bodies, such as Lake Houston..
Clearing, excavating and grading disturb soil. Stripping away vegetation makes soil more prone to erosion. So, when it rains, the exposed soil can easily wash away into nearby water systems.
In many cases, vegetation or other stabilization measures (e.g., erosion control blankets, mulching) may not be installed until later stages of construction, leaving the site vulnerable to sediment loss in the meantime.
Construction sites are most vulnerable during heavy rainfalls, which can lead to significant runoff, especially from areas without adequate sediment-control measures.
In many cases, construction schedules are not aligned with seasonal weather patterns, so sites may be left exposed during periods of heavy rain. This can lead to water-quality degradation, increased costs for water treatment, higher water bills, and infrastructure damage.
Excessive sediment can clog stormwater systems, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Regulations and Best Management Practices
Due to the significant environmental impact of construction-site runoff, many countries and regions have strict regulations and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control it. In the U.S., for example, the Clean Water Act requires construction sites to control stormwater discharges through permits such as the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This often includes implementing sediment control measures like silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion control methods.
Rainfall and Soil Saturation in Last Week
The HCFCD gage at West Lake Houston Parkway and the San Jacinto West Fork shows that the area near Foster Elementary received about 2 inches of rain in the last few days.
That made the soil go from “wet” to “saturated.”
And that radically increased runoff.
Photos of Foster Elementary Construction Site After Heavy Rains
Summers’ photos show the need for better construction management practices to control sediment-laden runoff.
Silty water streamed out of the site after an intense rain.
The flow was steady and strong.
Water exited the site in multiple places and filled half the street.
Inlets had no protection. (See #8 below).
The site had large areas of disturbed and unprotected soil.
Runoff left inches of soil in the street. Imagine what the storm sewer looked like…
…especially since storm-sewer inlets were unprotected by any of the usual methods. (Again, see #8 below.)
Ways to Reduce Sediment-Laden Runoff
Here are several common and effective methods used to minimize silt-laden runoff. They represent best construction management practices.
1. Silt Fencing intercepts and slows down water flow, allowing sediment to settle before water flows off the construction site. It’s normally installed around the perimeter.
2. Sediment Basins & Traps capture sediment from runoff until it settles out of suspension.
3. Erosion Control Mats or Blankets stabilize disturbed soil and prevent erosion. They are most often used during the early stages of construction.
4. Mulching with organic materials – such as straw, hay, or wood chips – helps to protect soil while promoting vegetation growth. They are most effective when applied immediately after soil is disturbed.
5. Planting Vegetative Cover, such as fast-growing grass, can also help stabilize soil and reduce runoff. Plant roots bind the soil, making it less susceptible to erosion. Vegetation also slows down the flow of water, reducing the energy available to carry away sediment.
6. Sediment Control Logs (Wattles) are tubular barriers filled with straw or other materials. When placed along the contours of the construction site, they capture sediment before it leaves the site.
7. Stormwater Diversion Channels direct runoff to sediment-control ponds or a controlled discharge areas.
8. Stormwater-Inlet Protection, such as sandbags, can be placed around stormwater inlets to capture sediment before it enters the storm drainage system.
9. Shallow temporary or Permanent Vegetative Swales collect runoff and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the soil while trapping sediment in the vegetation and soil.
10. Construction Entrance/Exit Stabilization with gravel minimizes the tracking of mud onto roads from construction vehicles. But the gravel must be regularly maintained.
11. Grading can help control water flow and minimize erosion by directing water flow away from disturbed areas towards sediment control features.
12. Geotextiles can also provide erosion control and soil stabilization.
Need for Regular Inspections
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure that all erosion and sediment control measures are installed functioning properly.
Compare the measures in this list to the photos above. With the exception of gravel at the entrance, Summers’ photos show that few of these measures appeared to be implemented at the Foster construction site.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/29/24 with photos by Chris Summers
2679 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/2024/12/2024-079-020-storm-runoff.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1450800adminadmin2024-12-29 14:06:572024-12-29 18:06:28Better Construction Management Practices Could Reduce Silt-Laden Runoff
Meritage has finished clearing all of its 40 acres between Pinehurst and Kings River. The property is just east of West Lake Houston Parkway and borders Kings Park Way, Texas Laurel Trail, and Pinehurst Trail Drive. The company plans to build 210 homes on the site in two phases.
Status of Phases 1 and 2
Meritage finished clearing the first 20 acres for Phase One west of Pinehurst Trail Drive in March this year. The company has already installed a large stormwater detention basin that occupies about a quarter of the site. But no homes have been built on the site yet.
Phase One in foreground looking east toward Lake Houston. Note large detention basin on right which already has grass growing around it to protect the slopes from erosion.
For the 20 acres east of Pinehurst Trail Drive, Meritage appears to be finished cutting trees. But they have yet to haul them all away. And Meritage has not yet done any drainage work for the second 20 acres. See below.
Looking east over Pinehurst Trail Drive. Contractors have cleared Phase 2, but trees have not all been hauled away yet.
However, no streets or homes have been constructed on either phase yet. Meritage’s website shows they build homes similar in size, look and price points to those found in surrounding neighborhoods.
So far, Meritage has managed to avoid any drainage fiascos similar to those associated with a nearby Trammell Crow apartment development.
But a drainage analysis by R.G. Miller Engineers for Meritage raised many questions about the sufficiency of the plans. The analysis:
Omitted data
Contained misstatements
Left out related reports
Included alarming assumptions.
Looking west toward West Lake Houston Parkway (out of sight at top of frame). Note pond in foreground.
Say Goodbye to the Wetlands
Parts of both phases of this development contained wetlands before Meritage cleared and graded the land.
The saying in the engineering business is, “Water has a memory.” It tends to go where it has gone before. I’m sure Meritage will do a good job grading and compacting the land. But building over wetlands usually entails environmental, structural and economic risks.
The environmental risks include:
Loss of Biodiversity
Water-Quality Degradation
Increased Flood Risk
Carbon Storage Loss
Erosion and sedimentation
Structural risks include:
Foundation Instability
Water Intrusion and Damage from High Water Tables and Mold Growth
Drainage Issues such as Water Pooling and Flooding Around Homes.
Homes built over wetlands also often have higher insurance costs due to these issues, which may also cause property value to decline over time.
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12/22/24 – The West Lake Houston Parkway development between Kings Park Way and Upper Lake Drive is finally nearing completion, more than 2.5 years after land clearing began. Construction of the development has been plagued by stormwater control issues.
Property Ultimately Owned by Trammell Crow
The property has been developed in two phases by Kingwood Residences HTX and HTX II LLC. Both are limited liability companies owned by High Street Residential. High Street is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company in Dallas, the nation’s #1-ranked commercial developer.
Stormwater Control Issues
The developer, its subsidiaries and contractor ran into trouble this January when they started clearing land for Phase 2 without silt fences in place. Sediment-laden runoff began pouring into the streets on less than a half inch of rain, even as a detention basin built as part of phase 1 remained empty.
Before the end of January, Harris County Engineering had cited the developer for stormwater violations. But a 1.44 inch rain in early February, flooded streets and storm sewers again with more sediment laden runoff.
In mid-February, contractors were caught on camera, still pumping silty stormwater into the surrounding neighborhood.
That persisted at least through mid-April, as contractors tried belatedly to expand their stormwater-detention basin and channel stormwater into it.
Discounting Leases
Since then, Phase 1 completed and started renting apartments. Phase 2 is still under construction but almost done.
Not following best management practices for stormwater, cost the developer time, money and reputation.
One detention basin serves both phases, but was built in two stages. Note how walls on the older top part are already failing.Most of the traffic in Phase 2 seems to be contractors doing finish work. Framing is complete. Phase 2 in foreground. Phase 1 at top of frame is already leasing.
For More Information
For a history of the development, see these posts:
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.
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12/21/24 – West Fork dredging spoils are being pumped across the East Fork and up Luce Bayou to where it joins the Inter-basin Transfer Project.
Left side of red line is current location of dredge. Box on right is placement area, about four miles east.
Just Outside of Floodplain
The first question I had after learning of the location was, “Is it out of the floodplain?”
Comparing drone photos taken today to FEMA’s Flood Hazard Layer Viewer and Harris County Appraisal District records shows that the placement area is just outside of the 500-year floodplain (shown as the tan-color below).
HCAD Parcel boundaries relative to floodplain boundaries. Boundaries are approximate.FM2100 runs N/S on right.
Part of Area Still Under Construction
As you can see above, the placement area was heavily forested before the start of dredging. DRC and its sister company, Callan Marine, are still clearing about half the land.
Note additional berms already being built upamong cleared trees.
As you can see below, DRC and Callan have constructed a series of berms around the perimeter to hold the spoils. Phase One, (the finished basin) measures approximately 35 acres. Phase Two (the area being cleared and/or still populated by trees) occupies another 35 acres, according to Eric Bushnell, Callan Marine’s project manager.
Wide shot looking east shows extent of placement area as of 12/21/24. Luce Inter-Basin Transfer Project Canal on left.
The interior dikes in the pond above slow the water down so that sediment drops out of suspension. Once “clarified,” gates visible to the right of the 18-inch pipe above can be opened to let the water out.
Note height of wallsand how quickly sediment drops out of suspension. Looking East. Note the channel cut into the trees to right of the Inter-Basin Canal. That channel returns “clarified” water to Luce.Looking ESE. Note height of berm around edge of pond. Callan is not excavating to create the pond area.
Sending Clarified Water Back to the Lake
After heavy particles of sediment, such as sand, drop out of suspension, DRC and Callan need to return water to Lake Houston. They do that by opening the gates discussed above. Then, they drain the water down the channel, which you can see in the bottom left of the picture below.
Looking WSW. Note return channel for water in lower left. Luce Bayou (upper right) joins Lake Houston (upper left).
Meaning of “Clarified” in this Context
“Clarified” is a relative term. The water isn’t perfectly clear like an ice cold pitcher of tap water. But it is much clearer than before. Large particles of sediment get trapped in the pond.
Remaining particles, usually clay, are so fine, they will likely never settle to the lake bed. Instead, they will float out into Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. They pose little to no flood risk.
Looking ENE. For reference, Palm Drive on right ends just below the frame near the western edge of the pond.
Ownership of Land
According to Harris County Appraisal District, the parcel of land shown above extends all the way from the west end of Palm Drive to FM2100. FM2100 is concealed by the tree line in the upper part of frame.
Contrary to rumor, DRC and Callan did not purchase this land. According to Bushnell, they have an agreement with the landowner. Harris County Appraisal District shows the owner is 157 Huffman LTD.
It’s unclear at this point what 157 Huffman LTD plans to do with the land when the dredging project is complete in two years. The owner has not shared that information with Callan or DRC.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/21/24
2671 Days since Hurricane Harvey
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12/20/2024 – Just in time for the holidays, the City’s new dredging program on Lake Houston finally launched this week, but with some changes.
The placement area for the spoils will now be near Luce Bayou, not Spanish Cove as previously reported.
This phase of dredging will be restricted to 181 acres on the West Fork. In a previous Town Hall meeting, presenters hinted it might also include East Fork sediment.
According to Dustin Hodges, Chief of Staff for District E City Council Member Fred Flickinger, delays earlier this year in the long-awaited dredging program had to do with the search for an optimal placement area.
DRC, the City’s contractor, and its sister company, Callan Marine, will dredge 876,672 cubic yards of West Fork sediment and pump it four miles to property they bought near Luce. Their objective: to restore the river to its pre-Harvey profile, thereby reducing the potential for flooding.
Depth of the dredged area will vary. But today, the contractor was working at an average depth of 7-8 feet when I visited the operation.
Funding Success Tied to Location
Funding for the program comes from FEMA via U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw. The City will use money left over from the West Fork Mouth Bar dredging. As a consequence, this phase of dredging will be limited to the West Fork to meet FEMA requirements.
However, an agreement to use property near Luce Bayou for placement of the spoils may be fortuitous for future East Fork dredging programs. The proximity of the disposal site to the East Fork could lower pumping costs and make dredging there more affordable.
Callan’s General Pershing Dredge working today on West Fork.Sediment will be pumped from the drill bit through this 18″ pipeline up Luce Bayou on the far side of the East Fork.
Mayor John Whitmire and City Council Members Fred Flickinger and Twila Carter have pushed this program since taking office.
Partially submerged drill bit at work.
When Whitmire was elected, he said he wouldn’t forget Kingwood. And he hasn’t.
Key to Reducing Flood Potential
The City’s new dredging program should reduce the potential for future flooding by increasing the conveyance of the river through this critical area.
It is here that water slows down as it meets the standing water in Lake Houston. That causes suspended sediment to drop out of suspension. When enough piles up as it did with the mouth bar, it can back water up into homes and businesses.
The West Fork Mouth Bar as it existed after Harvey. It has since been removed. The current dredging program will focus on areas beyond the mouth bar.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/20/24
2670 Days since Hurricane Harvey
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