A flyover of the lower portion of Ben’s Branch on March 6, 2020, revealed that Harris County Flood Control has nearly restored its conveyance, even if some sediment still needs to be hauled off.
With most of lower Ben’s Branch cleaned out, the Kingwood Library (left), Kingwood Greens (right), and The Enclave (background) can now breathe much easier.
Among Hardest Hit Areas During Harvey
During Hurricane Harvey, some of the hardest hit areas in Kingwood bordered Ben’s Branch. Ben’s Branch cuts diagonally through Kingwood from St. Martha Catholic Church on the north to Town Center, Kingwood Greens, The Enclave, Kingwood Village Estates and Kings Harbor on the south. Post-Harvey surveys showed significant sediment buildup along the creek which reduced conveyance.
The project scoped by HCFCD is to remove approximately 80,000 cubic yards of sediment between the red line at Kingwood Drive and the YMCA at the bottom right of the circle.
Flood Control estimated they would need to remove 75,000 to 80,000 cubic yards to restore the conveyance. Despite a setback called Tropical Storm Imelda, the project has been moving along nicely.
Looking west from the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge at Ben’s Branch before the project started.To get a sense of scale, that’s a HCFCD surveyor in the yellow jacket!The same area today (looking west from a helicopter over the WLHP Bridge (lower left).
Here’s how the rest of the project looks.
East of the WLHP Bridge (foreground), some sediment is still drying along the banks before removal.However, the channel is openagain for business.The long stretch behind the Kingwood Town Center Apartments has been restored.The stretch just south of Kingwood Drive by ReMax still needs clean-out and touch up.The area just east of the YMCA is still being actively excavated.Same area, still being actively excavated near YMCA.
Merchants and residents alike should breathe much easier during the upcoming hurricane season.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/10/2020
924 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200306-RJR_9648.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-03-10 08:06:022020-03-10 12:36:35Conveyance of Lower Ben’s Branch Nearly Restored
Yesterday, I posted about the hidden costs of flooding. Here’s another one: infrastructure repairs. And another one: re-doing infrastructure repairs. Like those to the Tree Lane Bridge over Ben’s Branch.
Tree Lane was already a pinch point in the Ben’s Branch floodway. That and the combination of even more water during the Tax Day, Memorial Day, Harvey, May 2019, and Imelda floods all took a toll. The picture below shows what the bridge looked like on December 1, 2019. Hundreds of kids cross this bridge on their way to Bear Branch Elementary every day.
The Before Shot: Taken November 31, 2019
After taking the shot above, I emailed it to the City. To their credit, they sent crews out right away to repair it. Heavy equipment sat at the site for 2.5 months.
After the Repairs
About two weeks ago, the last piece left the job site. So today, I drove by to get an “after” shot. See the improvements below.
The After Shot: Taken 2/29/2020, three months later.
The City put rip rap across the creek to reduce erosion from water shooting out from the storm sewer in the upper right. They also broke up some of the large slabs of concrete to form additional rip rap.
However, it appears that they:
Have done little to stabilize the bridge supports.
Left slabs of concrete leaning against an exposed pipeline.
Threw a traffic sign and traffic cone into the creek.
Left about 50 bags of sand on the large slab at the left.
Someone else could have dumped the construction materials and sign. Crappy looking areas always encourage illegal dumping.
Enlargement of detail from previous shot showing sand that has been left behind or dumped.
I’m guessing that the rip rap may help reduce erosion from the storm sewer. But…
I see little here to stop erosion from upstream of Tree Lane or reduce danger to the pipeline. More important, the City did nothing to increase conveyance under the bridge.
The Tree Lane Bridge still forms a pinch point that restricts conveyance of Ben’s Branch.
Of course, the City may handle the conveyance issue in a second job. That could help build a case for doubling those drainage fees.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/29/2020
914 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BB-Bridge-BeforeAfter.jpg?fit=891%2C1200&ssl=11200891adminadmin2020-02-29 13:17:592024-08-11 20:20:23Tree Lane Bridge over Ben’s Branch: Before and After Repairs
When we think about flooding, most of us don’t think beyond the repair costs of homes. But there are more costs to communities that can remain hidden for years. Erosion, for instance, is one of the hidden costs of flooding that we rarely talk about.
You’ve heard me talk about the eroded sediment from sand mines that winds up downstream in the mouth bars of the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto.
The City, County, State and Federal Government have already spent more than $100 million to remove eroded sediment that is blocking the West Fork of the San Jacinto and much more remains.
Ben’s Branch became virtually blocked with sand after Harvey. Harris County Flood Control is now removing the excess sediment to restore conveyance of the channel.
We’ve all seen how such eroded sediment can back water up and raise flood levels. And we’ve all seen how much that can cost. Not just from the initial flood, but in terms of remediation.
Look At the Cost of Erosion From the Upstream Side, Too
Ditch erosion can affect homeowners in other ways, too. By threatening their property and community property. Lost property is yet another one of the hidden costs of flooding.
Ditch erosion in Commons on Lake Houston.Photo from January 2019.
In Deer Ridge Estates, ditch erosion is creeping inexorably toward back yard fences.
Kingwood diversion ditch where it crosses past Deer Ridge Estates just north of Deer Springs Drive.Photo from Jan. 2019.
On a recent flight down the San Jacinto West Fork, I spotted erosion threatening the back yards of homes still under construction in the new Northpark Woods subdivision.
Erosion can threaten pipelines, too.
Pipelines undermined by erosion at Liberty Materials Mine near Conroe.
Let’s Play Hot Potato
Who is responsible for repairing the upstream erosion when it happens? In Harris County, we’re lucky, we have a flood control district that has assumed responsibility for that. But the ditch two photos above is in Montgomery County. So are the pipelines in the photo above.
Who is responsibly for repairing erosion in these cases? The County? The homeowners? The homeowner association? The developer? The sand mine? The pipelines? A flood control or drainage district? Everyone wants to assume it’s someone else’s problem. No one wants to assume responsibility.
But without someone stepping up, these homes will eventually be threatened. And with the exception noted above, few people or groups are stepping up.
Paul Crowson, a Montgomery County flood activist has posted about this subject on Facebook. Says Crowson, “The county, the flood control district, the neighborhood HOA, the POA, the City, the State, the developers, the engineers … all are passing the blame and responsibility around to each other.”
“These poor people (in the court case) have lost most of their yard, and are in danger of losing their home to the ravages of the drainage easement nightmares,” says Crowson. “Those nightmares are growing every day and will eventually swallow them and their home. Why does it matter to you? I’m thinking right now of Roman Forest, Tavola, New Caney, and Montgomery County.”
It’s Easier to Keep Up Than Catch Up
I would argue that it’s cheaper to prevent a disaster in the making than to remediate a disaster after the fact. Remember those homely homilies your parents and grandparents tried to instill in you? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A stitch in time save nine.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw says the Navy Seals have a similar saying for those who fall behind on those long training runs they take. “It’s easier to keep up than catch up.” They’re all true! And the same holds true for deferred maintenance.
When Deferred Maintenance Turns into a Disaster Area
Montgomery County does not have a flood control district. Nor does it seem especially eager to address problems, such as those in the photo above.
As we saw with the mouth bar on the West Fork that had been building up under water for decades, maintenance can be deferred for only so long.
Then a monster flood comes along like Harvey. It finds the weak points in systems…and boom. Deferred maintenance turns into a disaster area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/28/2020 with input from Paul Crowson
913 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200213-RJR_7905.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-02-28 12:39:172020-02-28 12:44:11Hidden Costs of Flooding
Q: When is a detention pond not a detention pond? A: When it’s just a wide spot on a stream.
The defining characteristic of a detention pond is an “outfall” smaller than the inlet. The pond holds back rain in a storm and releases it later at an acceptable rate. This reduces downstream flooding.
From the Montgomery County Drainage Criterial Manual
That’s the theory, at least. In practice, sometimes things don’t always work out that way. It often depends on maintenance.
This week, I discovered that a second pond immediately upstream also apparently has an unrestricted outfall.
Two tributaries of Ben’s Branch come together in the foreground pond. The pond also collects runoff from surrounding commercial and residential areas.Photo taken 2/13/2020.Water flows toward exit in upper right.Photo taken 2/13/2020.Note height and width of exit.Photo taken 2/13/2020.
The low area in the picture above measures more than 200 feet wide in Google Earth. That’s far wider than the combined inlets. Net: this pond provides little if any detention capability.
Same Problem with Second Pond
Neither does pond beyond it that I highlighted last week provide much detention capacity.
Note how Ben’s Branch flows both through and around the next pond. Direction of flow is from bottom to top of frame.Photo taken 2/13/2020.Reverse angle looking NW. Direction of flow is now toward camera.Note how the outfall (foreground) is larger than the inlet. Also note how runoff from residential streets (upper right) is channeled outside the pond. Photo taken 2/13/2020.
Both Ponds Provide Little Detention Benefit, If Any
Both of these ponds provide little detention benefit, if any.
Neither pond has a maintenance road around it, even though Section 7.2.8 of the Montgomery County Drainage Criteria Manual specifies that “A 30-foot wide access and maintenance easement shall be provided around the entire detention pond.”
Sometimes, what looks like a detention pond is really just a pond. Or a wide spot in a stream.
Recent Surge in Downstream Flooding
During the May 7th and Imelda floods in 2019, water flowing through these ponds then flowed over Northpark Drive and flooded homes in North Woodland Hills. It also flooded numerous homes and businesses downstream on Ben’s Branch between Woodland Hills Drive and the San Jacinto River West Fork.
One wonders whether those damages could have been averted if the ponds had detained water.
As Harris County Flood Control conducts the Kingwood Area Drainage Study, engineers must consider the possibility that this area may be dumping more water downstream than planned.
The Woodridge Municipal Utility District apparently is responsible for these ponds.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/16/2020
901 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 150 after 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/2020/02/20200213-RJR_8533.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-02-16 05:49:322020-02-16 10:57:58Part II: When Is A Detention Pond Not A Detention Pond?
On a flyover of the Harris/Montgomery county line last month, I spotted something unusual: a detention pond with an outlet bigger than its inlet. And it was in Woodridge FOREST. You may remember that after Imelda, Woodridge Forest advertised homes that did not flood on signs posted in nearby intersections…around downstream homes that did flood!
Detention Pond that Isn’t
Wide shot, looking east toward St. Martha’s Catholic Church and Kingwood Park High School. Photo taken 1/20/2020.
Below is a closeup of the suspect pond cropped from the image above.
Water flows from bottom left to upper right in this image. During Harvey, the outlet for this detention pond blew out. Imelda enlarged it even more. No one has repaired it, meaning it retains no water in a flood. Water from this part of the subdivision does not even go through the pond.Note the location of this outlet in the photos above and below.Satellite image shows clearer comparison. Detention pond has bigger outlet than inlet and a creek that runs around it.
Detention ponds usually work by capturing water coming in a fast rate, storing it, and releasing it at a slower rate that minimizes downstream flooding.
This pond provides very little, if any detention capacity. In fact, Ben’s Branch runs BOTH around and through it!
The berm that forms the north side of the pond in the image above does little more than take up valuable space in the flood plain.
On its way from 59 to Woodland Hills, Ben’s Branch goes through a series of “detention ponds” along the southern edge of Woodridge Forest. What purpose does of this one serve? And are the others doing their job?
The pond should also have a 30-foot wide maintenance road around it (also section 7.2.8), but does not. The developer built the pond in 2016, but no one seems to have noticed the absence of the maintenance road yet. That missing maintenance road might have helped in the repair of the pond after Harvey.
And the “Rub-Your-Nose-In-It” Award Goes To…
Who knows how much this pond could have helped reduce flooding on May 7th and September 19th last year?
The truly appalling thing about this: shortly after Imelda, Woodridge Forest posted signs in the area informing buyers, “We don’t flood.” Well, when you’re not retaining all the water you should…
Montgomery County is on an unsustainable path. Every week, I get complaints from Montgomery County residents about flooding there. MoCo is already starting to reap what it has sown. Someday, MoCo, too, will be downstream from another rapidly growing county. And then the tragic precedent MoCo has set will make payback inevitable.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/13/2020
898 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 147 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/2020/02/image002.jpg?fit=1200%2C726&ssl=17261200adminadmin2020-02-12 21:24:492020-02-12 21:26:03When Is a Detention Pond Not a Detention Pond?
The project to remove approximately 76,285 cubic yards of sediment from the lower reaches of Ben’s Branch in Kingwood is nearing its goal.
High-Priority Ben’s Branch Project Began Last August
This was a high priority project for Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) not just because of the sedimentation, but because of the destruction it helped cause during Hurricane Harvey.
12 seniors from Kingwood Village Estates died either as a result injuries sustained during evacuation, or the stress of losing everything they owned.
Every home in the Enclave flooded: 283 out of 283.
All homes in Kingwood Greens flooded: 225 out of 225.
More than half the homes in Fosters Mill flooded: 346 out of 549.
The Kingwood Country Club flooded.
The Deerwood Club flooded.
100% of the businesses in Kingwood Town Center flooded.
100% of the businesses in Kings Harbor flooded.
Kingwood High School flooded to the second floor.
Kingwood’s library flooded.
Scope of project starts at red line on Kingwood Drive and curls south to the YMCA, where oval intersects West Lake Houston Parkway and blue line. Construction crews today were working on both sides of the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge just above the Y.
The Ben’s Branch cleanup began last August, but suffered a setback during Tropical Storm Imelda. Much of the sediment that had been piled on the sides of the channel washed back into it during the storm.
Crews Making Up for Lost Time Since Imelda
Since then, however, Flood Control crews have been making up for lost time. Construction weather has been almost ideal. I took all the photos below on the afternoon of 1/7/2020.
Contractor pulls sediment from Ben’s Branch under the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge.Just west of the WLHP Bridge, adjacent to Kingwood Greens in the background, another excavator was pulling sediment from Ben’s Branch and pushing it closer to shore……where yet another excavator was loading dump trucks. Contractors will remove an estimated 7,000 loads from the stream.On the East side of the WLHP bridge, two more excavators tag-teamed more sediment. While one worked the shoreline…Another broke up clumps of sediment and pulled it from the stream.The current downstream extent of work is just north of the YMCA. That bend in Ben’s Branch behind the excavator is the final bend in the project.
For More Information
HCFCD expected the Ben’s Branch project to take 9 months. That would put completion in April. At the current rate, the contractor should make that date and perhaps beat it.
For more information about the project, consult the Kingwood pages of the HCFCD website. The project ID is # G103-33-00-X004 – Bens Branch Conveyance Restoration.
All Kingwood residents will breath easier when HCFCD finishes Ben’s Branch.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/7/2020
861 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 110 since Imelda
The downstream side of Ben’s Branch at Tree Lane. Photo taken 11/31/2019.
Tree Lane Bridge over Ben’s Branch
Bear Branch Elementary and Child Time on Tree Lane in Kingwood sit right next to a bridge over Ben’s Branch. Most people in Kingwood don’t need a reminder of the power of moving water. But for those with short memories this is it. A floodway and floodplain more than 250 feet wide narrows down to 80 feet at the bridge.
Lap-Band Surgery for the Creek
It’s like the creek had lap-band surgery.
The predictable result: water backs up behind the bridge and then jets through the opening. The water has literally torn the concrete lining designed to prevent erosion into confetti. Note how the erosion has also exposed a pipeline.
Note the erosion immediately downstream from the bridge.
Erosion immediately downstream from the Tree Lane Bridge above. Wood chips are from HCFCD crews de-snagging the banks of the creek. Photo taken 11/30/2019.
Powerful lessons for anyone who thinks he or she can outsmart Mother Nature for long.
One More Thing to Consider in Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis
Harris County Flood Control is in the middle of its Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis right now. I hope they take a close look at this. While the bridge itself seems stable at this point, if this erosion continues unabated, that could easily change.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/2/2019
825 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 74 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191130-RJR_4913-2.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2019-12-01 20:16:362019-12-01 21:36:39Tree Lane Bridge vs. Power of Moving Water
Earlier this week, I reported an improbable meeting in Huffman on the eve of Thanksgiving that showed promise to increase conveyance on Luce Bayou. This story is even more amazing holiday miracle. Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) crews worked on Thanksgiving Day to clear trees blocking Ben’s Branch.
HCFCD has a right to cut trees 50 feet on either side of the centerline of the Ben’s Branch and clearing started Thanksgiving week. Photo courtesy of Thomas Blailock.
I did not personally see them but received an email with images from Thomas Blailock Thursday. Blailock says, “The contractor is UFLGC from Ackerman, MS. They had 7 trucks and around 20 employees clearing on Thanksgiving Day. They have been here for 4-5 days.”
I saw evidence of their work at Tree Lane. The areas on either side of Bens Branch look like they got a haircut.
Such clearing reduces the chances that trees will fall into the creek during storms, get hung up on other trees and form “beaver dams” that back water up into neighborhoods.
The Community had mixed reaction to news of the agreement. Many were thankful for progress. Others felt the agreement didn’t go far enough. Many, like Blailock, hoped the creek could be widened or straightened.
Judging by how difficult it was to work out terms of this compromise, widening or straightening won’t happen any time soon – even as upstream development continues to dump more water faster into the creek.
An Alternative That Could Help
I have heard, however, that HCFCD has examined the possibility of widening the Kingwood Diversion ditch that runs down the western side of Woodland Hills and crosses under Kingwood Drive near the fire station. Preliminary reports from HCFCD indicate that a) their easement includes enough room to widen the ditch, b) no bridges would have to be widened (they were built with enough room under them to widen the ditch), and c) that could divert water from Ben’s Branch that would help reduce flooding along the creek.
Looking south down the diversion ditch from over Northpark Drive. That’s Woodland Hills on the left and Kings Mill on the right.Looking north along the diversion ditch toward where it intersects with Ben’s Branch in front of the new St. Martha Church. That’s Ben’s Branch crossing left to right, parallel with the power lines.HCFCD’s easement and the bridges are wide enough to widen the ditch without rebuilding the bridges. Note the extra room under the bridges on the right of the water.
Nothing is final yet. The Kingwood Area Drainage Assessment is not yet complete. So things could change. But don’t be surprised if you see this as a future recommendation.
For a full review of issues along Ben’s Branch from Kingwood Drive north past Northpark Drive and St. Martha’s new church, check out this thorough, thought-provoking presentation by Chris Bloch. It underscores the need to use all means possible to improve conveyance.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/30/2019 with help from Thomas Blailock and Chris Bloch
824 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 72 after Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_2245-002.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1480640adminadmin2019-11-29 19:15:412019-12-01 21:39:59HCFCD Crews Work on Thanksgiving Day to Clear Ben’s Branch
Rumors of a Ben’s Branch agreement between Bear Branch Trail Association, Friendswood and Harris County Flood Control District have circulated for weeks. On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the deal became official when Diane Trautman, the Harris County Clerk, recorded the easement. Here is exactly what the easement does and doesn’t allow the various parties to do along Ben’s Branch.
Ben’s Branch below St. Martha’s Catholic School is characterized by hairpin turns and trees growing right down to and into the stream.
49-Page Ben’s Branch Easement Finally Signed
The easement is like a contract that spells out the rights, obligations and limitations of each party.
Bear Branch Trail Association Rights and Obligations
This is an agreement between three parties that modifies the original deed of gift between Friendswood and the Bear Branch Trail Association (BBTA).
BBTA:
Gives Harris County Flood Control the right to operate in an area 100 feet wide, 50 feet on either side of the creek’s centerline.
Retains the right to maintain and operate existing trails, bridges, low water crossings.
May construct, install, maintain and operate new trails in the easement area as long as they don’t obstruct water flow, cause erosion or hinder HCFCD’s “de-snagging” efforts. De-snagging is the removal of trees that have fallen or are falling into the creek.
Must share plans for new trails, bridges, etc. with HCFCD and HCFCD must approve them before any construction begins.
Acknowledges that HCFCD equipment may damage trails and agrees not to hold HCFCD liable for repairs.
Remains solely responsible for the safe condition and maintenance within the easement area and for repairs to any damage.
This low water crossing north of Bear Branch Elementary may not be removed according to the terms of the easement.Some observers have noted trees “spearing” into the narrow culverts and backing water up.But HCFCD cuts trees into small enough sections to let them pass through such openings.
Harris County Flood Control Rights and Obligations
HCFCD may:
Perform de-snagging operations related to flood control and drainage.
Clear, cut, drop, stack and stockpile trees, shrubs, vines, and vegetation for the sole purpose of flood control.
Grade and stabilize banks to protect against erosion and maintain drainage.
Plant grass, or use rip rap or man-made materials to reduce bank erosion.
Trees constantly fall into Ben’s Branch because of bank erosion. When floating trees catch on other trees or roots during floods in the narrow channel, they can form “beaver dams” that back water up into adjoining streets, homes and businesses.
HCFCD can/will NOT:
Widen, deepen, enlarge, straighten or smooth the channel in such a way as to increase channel capacity.
Maintain or repair trails or bridges, but may repair erosion that threatens them.
HCFCD has no responsibility to repair or replace storm sewer outfalls or to repair erosion around them.
Friendswood Agrees to All of Above Plus…
Friendswood agrees to all of the above. Friendswood also agrees that the terms of the easement will not trigger the automatic reversion of ownership from BBTA to Friendswood that the original deed of gift specified.
Signatories
John Hammond of Friendswood signed the easement on Monday, November 11, 2019.
Kathryn Palmer, president of BBTA signed it on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.
Diane Trautman, the Harris County Clerk signed and recorded it on November 13, 2019.
Roadblocks to Flood Control Maintenance Now Removed
This means that Flood Control can now begin de-snagging and other maintenance activities within 50 feet of either side of Ben’s Branch. The area affected lies between Woodland Hills Drive and Kingwood Drive.
Geographic Limitations
North Park, Woodland Hills, Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston Parkway define the boundaries of BBTA.
Other community and commercial associations control the creek outside of those boundaries. But those areas are already channelized and maintained by HCFCD for the most part.
Note: Those who don’t live within these boundaries may be confused by the names. Ben’s Branch is the name of the creek that runs through Bear Branch Village, Kings Forest and Hunters Ridge. The Bear Branch Trail Association overlaps all three of the community associations, but technically has nothing to do with them. BBTA is solely responsible for the greenbelts and greenbelt trails. It has nothing to do with swimming pools or deed restrictions. This can differ in other parts of Kingwood.
Compromise Between Natural Aesthetics and Flood-Risk Reduction
Everyone should realize that this easement represents a compromise. Any loss of natural aesthetics is the price of reducing flood risk to their neighbors. The three parties worked on this for more than a year.
Parts of the greenbelt will be thinned out, but you shouldn’t see wholesale widening of the creek into a massive channel. As a consequence, people who live along the creek should realize that this doesn’t offer the highest degree of flood protection. But it does help protect both greenbelts and property owners much more than before.
St. Martha Catholic School, Kids In Action, and homes on either side of the creek that flooded should be optimistic about this agreement.
The densely forested nature of the preserve along each side of the creek will look less dense. However…
The Ben’s Branch greenbelt is a minimum of 300 feet wide. In most places, it’s 400-600 feet wide. And in some places, it measures as much as 800 feet wide. This agreement affects only 100-feet.
Thus, two-thirds to seven-eighths of the natural area will remain the way it looks now. That sounds like a reasonable price to pay for helping to protect neighbors and property values in the entire neighborhood.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/17/2019
810 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 59 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/2019/11/RJR_3839.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500adminadmin2019-11-16 21:17:222019-11-16 21:19:06Text of Ben’s Branch Agreement Between Bear Branch Trail Association, Friendswood and HCFCD
After St. Martha’s Catholic School and Kids in Action almost flooded on a two inch rain earlier this week, I asked Harris County Flood Control a series of questions about Ben’s Branch. The questions covered a variety of topics. They included the Kingwood Drainage Assessment; flood mitigation alternatives along the creek; preservation of natural amenities; a maintenance agreement with Friendswood and Bear Branch Trail Association; timing for all of the above; and more.
St. Martha’s school on Tuesday after two inches of rain
Harris County Flood Control District continues to be a paragon of openness and transparency.Below: detailed answers to the questions people have been asking.
Q. Ben’s Branch is included in the Kingwood Drainage Assessment. When will that study be complete?
A. Our consultant is scheduled to submit the Draft Feasibility Report for HCFCD review in May 2020. We plan to hold a public meeting by early 2020 to present preliminary results and then a second meeting to present final results and recommendations for future actions.
Q. Will the consultant report findings on creeks “as they go” (one by one) or deliver one summary report at the end? (The concern: that they could sit on recommendations for months that might prevent flooding in the interim.)
A. We do not envision the alternative analysis to be completed on a creek by creek basis, but we are working to identify some initial projects that could be recommended for implementation prior to completion of the report.
This assessment is to determine level of service and make recommendations for projects to move into preliminary engineering once this assessment has concluded. Some projects might require partnerships to implement.
Q. I understand that you are close to reaching a maintenance agreement with Friendswood for the natural portion of Ben’s Branch between North Park and Kingwood Drive. Can you send me a copy of the proposed maintenance agreement or, as a backup, summarize the key features?
We are seeking an easement from the Bear Branch Trail Association, with a waiver from Friendswood Development Company, to perform desnag activities for stormwater conveyance purposes on the portion of Bens Branch between Woodland Hills and Kingwood Drive where we currently have no property rights; that is, from approximately 1,500 feet downstream of Woodland Hills to approximately 3,000 feet upstream of Kingwood Drive. Please go to the Interactive Maps of Kingwood Assessment Area on our website and look at the fuchsia line along Bens Branch on the “Channel Right-of-Way in the Kingwood Area” map.
We will share the easement language once it has been finalized.
Q. How long have you been working on this easement?
Since October 24, 2018.
Q. How will this easement differ from your normal easements?
When Friendswood Development Company granted fee ownership of this portion of Bens Branch to the Bear Branch Trail Association, they retained certain rights and set specific restrictions on the property that would make it impossible for HCFCD to perform its necessary flood control responsibilities.
This agreement is different because the Friendswood Development Company wants to restrict HCFCD’s rights to “widen, deepen, enlarge, straighten, or smooth the channel in such a way as to increase channel capacity.”
HCFCD has been working to negotiate the right to enter this property and complete channel maintenance operations for drainage purposes, while still maintaining the aesthetics that are important to both the Friendswood Development Company and the Bear Branch Trail Association. HCFCD will request the right to review plans for future improvements placed within the channel (e.g., bridges and low water crossings).
HCFCD cannot allow activities that could increase the risk of flooding where we spend public dollars.
Q. What were Friendswood’s concerns?
They wanted no alteration of the channel geometry and to retain the ability to add trails, bridges, and other structures without obtaining permits from HCFCD.
Q. Will the maintenance described in the agreement be enough to restore conveyance of Ben’s Branch so that it doesn’t flood surrounding homes and businesses?
We plan to perform desnag operations to remove obstructions so that stormwater can be conveyed efficiently. HCFCD can’t guarantee that flooding won’t occur in surrounding homes and businesses. HCFCD can selectively remove vegetation along the banks and other debris in the channel to increase the capacity of the channel to convey stormwater downstream.
Q. What will it take to avoid flooding? Said another way, what obstacles do you face in restoring conveyance?
Before we can perform these activities, we need to have property rights and the ability to safely access the site.
Q. What would Harris County Flood Control prescribe for Ben’s Branch to protect people from flooding?
We have not formally begun our process to identify alternatives; however, we expect to explore these alternatives for the Bens Branch channel:
Expanding the Kingwood diversion ditch from 150 feet to approximately 300 to use more of the right of way. Because the Kingwood diversion channel diverts water from the Montgomery County portion of the upper Bens Branch watershed, and there appears to be available capacity in the diversion channel, we will look into whether diverting more flow down the diversion channel would result in reduced flows along Bens Branch. Please note that we anticipate that this option would require a stormwater detention basin along the lower limits of the diversion channel.
Effectiveness of building stormwater detention basins in the upper Bens Branch watershed (Montgomery County side). This will only be feasible if large undeveloped tracts are identified for possible future basins.
Evaluation of channel conveyance improvement needs along the entirety of Bens Branch. Some improvements may need to be considered on portions of the channel within which HCFCD has no legal authority to work. If this is the case, HCFCD would coordinate with the property owners to determine what improvements could be completed.
Q. Are there compromises that would provide protection from flooding without destruction of the natural amenities which residents also value? I realize this may involve a discussion of degrees of protection.
As part of this study, HCFCD will be identifying alternatives to provide 100-year level of protection within the channels, using the rainfall rates from the newly adopted Atlas 14. These alternatives will identify the magnitude of improvements necessary to handle approximately 18 inches of rainfall runoff in a 24 hour period.
There are times that flood risk reduction competes with natural and public amenities; when that occurs, HCFCD works to minimize impacts to natural amenities. Once alternatives are identified, Kingwood Area residents will have a chance to voice their opinions and concerns with our alternatives. Please note that at some point it might become necessary for the Kingwood community to decide between higher levels of flood protection and maintenance of existing amenities.
Q. Do you have any idea yet why St. Martha’s and Kids in Action almost flooded on a one year rain? What has changed in your opinion?
We do not have any formal findings as to the potential causes for the excessive ponding along Bens Branch near the Kids in Action / St. Martha’s area. The intensity of the rainfall contributed to the ponding; inlets are typically designed to handle approximately 1” per hour, and when the rainfall intensity exceeds this, there is ponding in streets and parking lots.
It also appears that there may be a downstream blockage since extremely slow velocities were seen in the water in this area and there are much lower water surface elevations in the Bens Branch channel sections further downstream. HCFCD has contacted the Bear Branch Trail Association to ask them to assess their channel and remove any blockages.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/1/2019 with help from Beth Walters of HCFCD
794 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 43 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_3513-1.jpg?fit=960%2C1280&ssl=11280960adminadmin2019-11-01 17:02:302019-11-01 17:20:59Q&A with HCFCD on Ben’s Branch Flooding Issues
