07/28/2026 – Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has released new figures showing where it has spent money through 2026 Q2. The County has spent only $49.15 million dollars in the entire San Jacinto Watershed since passage of the 2018 Flood Bond eight years ago.
That compares with $367,450,000 worth of projects advertised for the San Jacinto in the 2018 Bond Project list.
Thanks goodness HCFCD got a new executive director last month!
Little Money Spent on Construction
The previous executive director kept slighted the San Jacinto watershed for years. Studies dragged out for years with no end in sight. HCFCD spent little money in the watershed. Period. And it spent even less on construction.
When you look at the spending by project stage, construction ranked highest. That actually surprised me.
Calculated with data from HCFCD Activities Page
But of the $21.7 million total spent on construction, HCFCD spent only one third on capital improvement projects (CIP construction = $7.28 M). The remainder went to maintenance.
While maintenance spending is absolutely critical, we shouldn’t forget that it is designed to keep flooding from getting worse as opposed to CIP projects which actually improve flood risk.
So, in eight years, HCFCD spent only about $7 million to actually improve flood risk in the county’s largest watershed.
To date, HCFCD hasn’t come close to delivering what was promised in 2018.
What Did Bond Advertising Promote?
The final project list came with 13 Bond IDs for the San Jacinto Watershed; each contained one or more projects. Together the money allocated for them totaled $367,450,000. So, with only $49.15 million spent to date, just 13% of promised funding has been delivered in the last 8 years.
Start drilling down further; you will find even more egregious examples.
Floodgate Example
Take for example the new floodgates on Lake Houston. Initial plans allocated $70 million ($50 million coming from the federal government and $20 million from the flood bond as a local match).
If the reported figures are accurate, the county actually spent only $20,000 so far – one thousandth of the local match. And 1/3,500th of the total. In fairness, perhaps they’re waiting for the City to finish the engineering.
Dredging Example
And then there’s dredging. Dredging was supposed to receive $50 million ($10 million from local funds with a $40 million match). But so far, HCFCD reports only $7.28 million spent for dredging. (See CI-61.)
Hopefully, Marcus Stuckett, HCFCD’s new executive director, can right some of the slights from the past administration. On a positive note, the recent start of construction on the Taylor Gully/Woodridge project may help turn the San Jacinto spending drought around.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/28/2026
3255 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HCFCD-Spending-by-Stage-in-San-Jacinto-2018-2026.png?fit=2018%2C1190&ssl=111902018adminadmin2026-07-28 21:46:362026-07-28 23:35:41HCFCD 2026 Q2 Spending Update: San Jacinto Watershed Still Ignored
6/12/26 – Dr. Tina Petersen’s final 2018-Flood-Bond update shows why she was under so much pressure to resign. Yesterday’s Commissioners Court agenda listed it as a “transmittal,” but it wasn’t transmitted. Nor was it posted on Harris County Flood Control District’s website as of this writing.
However, I have since obtained a copy of the 25-page spreadsheet with the help of Commissioner Ramsey’s staff.
Analysis reveals disturbing delays, slowness, contradictions, inaccuracies and incomplete data.
These were all among the list of failures that Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham complained about in regard to HCFCD. But the problems go far beyond GLO CDBG projects. The update shows how hundreds of other projects have fallen off HCFCD’s radar.
So Many Questions, Few Answers
I haven’t reviewed every project yet. But here are several from the Lake Houston Area that illustrate the problem.
Lake Houston Gates
The project to add gates to the Lake Houston Dam shows “Planning” as “complete.” But they have a blank entry for Engineering, which recently passed the 30% completion milestone. And they show no plans for construction. The county has paid only $23.5 thousand dollars out of the $20 million it pledged to the project.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch
HCFCD plans to start Kingwood Diversion Ditch improvements in mid-2030. The Diversion Ditch relieves flooding along Bens Branch and in Kingwood Town Center where more than a dozen people died during Harvey. So you would think it would merit higher priority.
Sedimentation and Sand Traps
In the Q1 2026-Flood-Bond Update, HCFCD says it is Closing projects related to sand traps and sedimentation in the upper San Jacinto River Basin, even though the projects are still “In-Progress.”
Dig deeper and you will find that HCFCD has paid its entire share of both studies to the SJRA to manage the projects…without getting any results yet. The final:
Sedimentation report is due to the Texas Water Development Board in less than a year, but SJRA has yet to publish a draft.
Sand-trap study is due in mid-2026, but the SJRA hasn’t published anything on that since 2022.
The SJRA sand trap study web page contains some hilarious entries. It shows:
“Contractor Notice to Proceed: TBD”
“Completion Date: TBD”
“Dates Subject to Change.”
Quick! Wake someone up. HCFCD seems to have lost interest in getting results for your tax dollars on these two studies.
Atascocita Flood Reduction Study
The Atascocita Flood Reduction Study shows “Planning” as complete and engineering as “Planned” But the project was “Paused” after only a third of the budget was spent. It fell into the bottom quartile of the Equity Prioritization Framework, scoring only 2.35 out of a potential 10.0. There’s $542K down the drain.
Tributaries East of Lake Houston
A study of San Jacinto Tributaries east of Lake Houston shows only $1 million out of $22 million has been spent to date. Engineering is “in progress” with construction planned for mid 2029. However, $0 has been spent on a preliminary engineering review so far. Where’d that first million go?
Crosby Eastgate Mitigation Bank
Engineering for the Crosby Eastgate Mitigation Bank on Cedar Bayou is still “In-Progress” and HCFCD plans construction for 2029. HCFCD’s website says it is a “wetlands restoration” project with a total budget of $1 million. But the bond update lists the budget at $1.75 million – a 75% increase.
Cedar Bayou Detention Basins/Channel Conveyance Improvements
More than a dozen regional detention basin projects and channel conveyance improvements along Cedar Bayou have been “paused.”
Danubina/East James Drainage Improvements on Cedar Bayou Tributary
HCFCD lists Engineering on the Danubina/East James Drainage Improvements as active. But only $1.7 of the $33.8 million budget has been spent so far. And flood control lists no estimated date for construction.
Little Cedar Bayou Drainage Improvements
Engineering is still “planned.” And HCFCD anticipates actual construction of drainage improvements may start in 2033.
Cedar Bayou Implementation Program
The Cedar Bayou Implementation Program is marked “closing.” But HCFCD lists planning as “in progress.” Is it just winding down? Are they planning to close it? Or with so many Cedar Bayou projects “paused,” has HCFCD just determined it to be a waste of time/money at this point?
Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Sub-Regional Detention Basin
Quick. Call the Keystone cops. The Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Sub-regional Detention Basin is marked “Complete” with engineering “in progress” and construction starting in 2031.
Luce Bayou Right of Way Acquisition and Floodplain Preservation
Luce Bayou’s Right of Way Acquisition and Floodplain Preservation program is “Closing,” having spent $0 to date – even as developers apply for permits to build in floodplains. Hmmmmm!
Summing Up
HCFCD originally conceived the 2018 flood bond as a ten year project. Yet 69 projects show construction starting beyond then. Today’s construction estimates will certainly prove inadequate by then.
Dozens of additional projects contain puzzling entries that warrant explanation. But HCFCD offers not one footnote.
Then there is the widespread pausing of projects because they don’t meet “equity” requirements. That penalizes the fastest growing parts of the county.
The examples above offer a taste of the type of information you can glean from the document. Dig in and explore projects in your watershed. You may actually find some pleasant surprises. I found one.
One Potential Opportunity Noted
HCFCD has spent less than a fifth of the budget allocated for dredging Lake Houston with the project marked “Complete.” However, more than $40 million remains that the new Lake Houston Dredging District could put to good use.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/12/26
3209 Days since Harvey
HCFCD did not return calls or emails concerning this study.
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/2026/06/2026Q1-Bond-Update-Page-e1781318185116.png?fit=1100%2C531&ssl=15311100adminadmin2026-06-12 21:40:402026-06-13 10:54:102018-Flood-Bond Update Illustrates Concerns of GLO, Lake Houston Area
The design of the Lake Houston Spillway doesn’t facilitate sediment discharge.
Lake Houston provides water for millions of people and loss of storage capacity is critical
Consequences of Sedimentation
This combination of factors is not unique, but it is unusual in its magnitude and consequences. Here’s why.
Lake Houston has a 3,160 foot long fixed height spillway for its primary discharge feature.While common in older water supply reservoirs, it provides few flood-control benefits.Studies to add tainter gates are not yet complete.
There is no way to remove sediment from Lake Houston except by dredging. Texas Water Development Board studies show that the lake has lost about 20% of its original storage capacity.
But the total storage loss is not the only issue; also consider where the loss is. Most sediment concentrates in the headwaters of the lake upstream from the FM1960 causeway where the river slows down as it meets a standing body of water.
Deceleration causes sediment to drop out of suspension. A delta has formed at this location, creating a hydraulic chokepoint that backs water up.
The Army Corps dredged approximately 2.1 million cubic yards from the area above FM1960.
Looking S over West Fork mouth bar after Harvey and before dredging.
East Fork Mouth Bar after Imelda, but before dredging
We have seen what happens when we ignore sediment buildups. Thousands of people can lose homes and businesses in a major flood.
Need for Ongoing Sediment Removal and Preservation
The SJRA has studied sedimentation and sand traps for years to help control such buildups. But they have yet to implement any solutions.
Thankfully, a bill by State Representative Charles Cunningham created a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District during the 2025 legislature. That should help manage sediment buildups in the future before they become critical.
5,300 flood-prone acres between the confluence of Spring Creek (l) and the San Jacinto West Fork (r) are slated for development by Scarborough, a Dallas-based developer and the Texas General Land Office. Note first of many upstream sand mines in upper right.
The area above borders 20-square miles of West Fork sand mines.
The loss of forests due to mining exposes more sediment to erosion during floods.
The loss of forests and riparian buffers leads to a triple whammy in terms of sedimentation. It increases the natural rate of erosion. It costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to remove it. And until they do, it increases flood risk.
As sand production on the West Fork winds down, now is the perfect time to discuss creating a Montgomery County Lake District or a new state park in this area. It could turn into a win/win for upstream and downstream interests.
For More Information
For more about the causes of flooding and how they can compound each other in the Lake Houston Area, see the Lessons Page.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/10/26
3146 Days since 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/2026/04/DJI_0724.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2026-04-10 12:19:232026-04-10 17:22:12How Sediment-Induced Loss of River Conveyance Increases Flood Risk
7/27/25 – Callan Marine is done with its City of Houston West Fork dredging contract. The contract used the last of the FEMA money that U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw helped obtain for dredging the West Fork Mouth Bar and the surrounding area after Harvey.
The City hired Callan to dredge 800,000 cubic yards from the San Jacinto West Fork between Kings Point, Atascocita and FM1960. But even though that contract is now complete, the need for dredging is far from over. Let me explain.
Pictures Taken Today
The General Pershing, Callan’s dredge was docked today on the east side of Lake Houston, just south of FM1960.
Dredging DemobilizationMiles of massive dredge pipe used in the operation were pulled onshore, waiting for removal.The placement area next to the Luce Bayou Inter-Basin Transfer Canal was vacant. Callan had removed all of its equipment.The gates that let return-water out of the placement area had been removed (lower right).The return-water channel from the placement area was filled in. Straw had been placed across the filled channel to retard erosion.Callan filled the area inside the perimeter bermsalmost completely.
But just upstream from from where the dredging took place, the West Fork is already filling in again near the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge.
The area near Kings Harbor is only 1-2 feet deep.The Army Corps dredged this area just a few years ago.Not many people will be tying their boats up here near Raffa’s.Farther upstream, it’s the same story. Boaters told me today the outfall of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch (shown above) is only about 6″ to a 1′ deep at River Grove Park.
Same area in 2018 before Army Corps dredging. An estimated 500+ homes above this point flooded during Harvey.
Sediment buildups like these reduced the conveyance of both the East and West Forks by 15 feet in places.
Another massive build up less than a half mile downstream from River Grove took the Corps months to dredge.
The Would-Be Congressman Who Denies Need for Dredging
Reducing flood risk in the Lake Houston Area requires reducing sediment build ups like these. Before the Corps left the West Fork, it recommended setting up a maintenance dredging program to help prevent such massive buildups in the future.
And yet a person upstream who wants to represent the Lake Houston Area in Congress, State Representative Steve Toth, voted against Cunningham’s Dredging District bill. And now he’s challenging Crenshaw.
I have yet to hear a credible explanation as to why Toth voted against the dredging district bill and the needs of the people he hopes to represent. Perhaps he would care to go on the record.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/27/25
2889 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.
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5/14/25 – This morning, I gave a presentation that compared the pace of downstream flood mitigation with the pace of upstream development. Are we gaining or losing ground in the Lake Houston Area?
Presentation Connects Many Dots
Answering that question requires connecting many dots. Here are the slides from the presentation with my narrative.
As new upstream development adds impervious cover (roads and roofs) that can increase and accelerate runoff, building flood peaks higher and faster. And that can erode the safety of downstream residents. Managing flood risk becomes a struggle between competing forces.
MoCo One of Fastest Growing Counties in Country
The Lake Houston Area lies downstream from one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Montgomery County (MoCo) grew 68% in the last 15 years and 4.8% in 12 months recently. MoCo is currently the seventh fastest growing county in the entire country.
Ryko Exemplifies Danger of Upstream Development
Let’s look at a proposed MoCo development in the headwaters of Lake Houston. A company named Ryko bought 5,500 acres about a quarter mile west of Kingwood. It’s in the southern part of a triangle formed by Spring Creek, the San Jacinto West Fork and the Grand Parkway.
US59 Bridge in foreground by the confluence of the Sand Jacinto West Fork and Spring Creek.
“Like Aiming a Firehose At Kingwood”
Ryko, which is a Syrian-owned company, is reportedly working with Wan Bridge, a Chinese company, to develop 7,000 homes on the property. One of the leading hydrologists in the area told me that developing this property would be “like aiming a firehose at Kingwood.”
Many “Guardrails” Being Removed
Government has established many guardrails over time to protect people from insufficiently mitigated upstream development. But many of the guardrails are being removed. Or people are trying to remove them.
In this case:
A change to the state property code in 2023 gave developers the right to opt out of a city’s extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). ETJs lay the groundwork for future annexation by ensuring new infrastructure meets the standards of areas that might annex them someday. But if developments are not in an ETJ, they could change plats without approval.
Two bills pending in the legislature, HB23 and its companion SB2354, would essentially let developers “self-permit” by hiring engineering firms that replace government oversight.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) constrains development in areas inhabited by threatened or endangered species. But Executive Order 14192 could change that. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a change under the order that means Ryko would no longer have to work around endangered species on its property.
An ex-Senior VP of Ryko for 21 years is now chair of the Houston Planning Commission. She still reportedly represents the company as an independent consultant,
The Montgomery County Drainage Criteria Manual hasn’t had a serious update for 40 years. The County still allows controversial practices, such as hydrologic timing surveys, to “prove” that upstream developments have no adverse impact on downstream residents.
Let’s take a closer look at the Ryko property with these issues in mind.
Upstream Development Almost Entirely in Floodplains
With that as a backdrop, what’s going on with the Ryko land? The map in the background for this next slide comes from Ryko’s Drainage Impact Analysis. It shows that their property (outlined in red) lies at the confluence of four major streams. All that blue represents floodplains and floodways.
Property outline and stream names enhanced for readability.
How Bad Is Ryko’s Flood Risk?
FEMA’s base-flood-elevation viewer shows that at the southern end of Ryko’s property, any homes would be under 25 feet of water in a 500-year flood (18.7 feet in a 100-year flood). Even at the higher elevations farther north, homes would be under 7 feet of water in a major flood.
Frequent Bald Eagle Sightings
Homeowners father north report frequent sightings of bald eagles. They believe the eagles live on Ryko’s property which is currently wilderness. One resident sent me a video of two eagles that landed in a tree right outside her living room window.
The Texas Water Code contains a rule that states upstream development can have “No Adverse Impact” on downstream neighbors. To prove no adverse impact, engineers compare estimated pre- and post-development runoff.
If post-development estimates are less than or equal to pre-development, they satisfy the requirement.
Estimates Based on Hydrologic Timing Not Always Accurate
But how accurate are those estimates? Montgomery County’s antiquated drainage criteria manual still lets engineers use hydrologic timing surveys, a practice now prohibited by the City of Houston and Harris County for several reasons.
Timing studies let developers avoid building detention basins if they can show that their development’s stormwater “beats the peak” of a flood. The theory: they aren’t adding to the peak.
Not building detention basins saves developers money and adds to the number of salable lots. But “beat the peak” studies have serious limitations and can often mislead.
They assume, for instance, a uniform storm across an entire watershed. But that rarely happens. Imagine the case of a storm like Harvey, which approaches from the south as developers to the north rush to get their water to the river. God help the people caught in the middle.
Timing surveys, in the case of Montgomery County, are also based on decades old data that ignores the cumulative impacts of other developments over time.
How Avoiding Detention Can Add to Flood Peaks
What often happens in reality is that you get higher peaks than if you had built detention. This graph shows three lines. The two at the bottom show typical pre- and post-development runoff rates where/when hydrologic timing studies are prohibited.
Not building detention often leads to earlier, higher peaks.
The height difference could be the difference between flooding or not flooding.
MoCo Still Doesn’t Require More Reliable Method
In short, building stormwater detention is a sure thing. Hydrologic timing is not.
Banning hydrologic timing studies would force developers to design systems that TRULY detain and slow runoff. But Montgomery County still permits timing studies. The County’s new Drainage Criteria Manual that prohibits them has been sitting on the shelf for more than a year.
Downstream Mitigation Slowing
Now, let’s look at what downstream residents are doing to offset the impacts of upstream development.
More floodgates on Lake Houston to speed up output
Upstream detention to reduce input.
Dredging is Highlight to Date…
Dredging continues. We’ve spent approximately $200 million to date and that total is still increasing.
Images shot current West Fork dredging plan, location of dredge by FM1960, and spoils placement area by Luce Bayou.
…But More Sediment Keeps Coming
After the Army Corps finished its emergency West Fork Dredging Project, they recommended regular maintenance dredging to ensure our rivers had sufficient conveyance and our drainage ditches were not blocked. State Representative Charles Cunningham authored HB1532 to create a dredging district for the Lake Houston Area.
HB1532 passed overwhelmingly in the House and is now waiting to be heard by Senator Paul Bettencourt’s Local Government committee in the Senate.
But this legislative session ends in two weeks. Any bill not out of committee by this Friday is effectively dead. And Bettencourt has not yet scheduled Cunningham’s bill for a hearing.
Construction on More Floodgates Not Likely Before 2027
The additional floodgates on Lake Houston have been delayed repeatedly for various reasons. Simultaneously, the Coastal Water Authority (CWA) is looking at the costs of repairing the dam and replacing it altogether. The 70+ year old dam is near the end of its useful life.
CWA board member Dan Huberty stated that engineering for additional gates should be complete by 2027. At that time, the project will go out for bids.
The CWA won’t receive preliminary reports on dam repairs and replacement until at least July of this year.
No Progress on Upstream Detention, None Likely Anytime Soon
Meanwhile, virtually nothing has happened yet in terms of upstream detention. The San Jacinto River Authority identified 16 areas for upstream detention basins/lakes in its River Basin Master Drainage Study.
SJRA has no construction funds. So many of the projects were incorporated into the state flood plan. But the state’s Flood Infrastructure Fund does not have a committed revenue stream.
The Texas Water Development Board has about a billion dollars currently available to build $54 billion worth of requests in the flood plan.
So keep the pressure on elected representatives who can protect your family.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/14/25
2815 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DOTS-Slide17.jpeg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-05-14 17:49:322025-05-14 17:49:33Is Downstream Flood Mitigation Keeping Pace with Upstream Development?
4/12/25 – Dredging is making progress on Lake Houston and in Austin.
The City of Houston’s most recent West Fork dredging program started last December near the channel south of Royal Shores. The channel connects the San Jacinto East and West Forks. Callan Marine is pumping the spoils through the channel, across the East Fork, up Luce Bayou to a placement area adjacent to the Luce Inter-Basin Transfer Canal.
I did a brief update about the expansion of the placement area in January. At the time, the dredge was still operation between the channel and the northern extremity of Atascocita Point. And Callan was doubling the size of the placement area.
Since then, the dredge moved about a half mile downstream toward FM1960. And Callan has filled the expanded placement area approximately one-third of the way up. Callan estimated the program would take a year. And that was about a third of a year ago.
In a separate but related effort, State Representative Charles Cunningham’s bill to create a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District picked up some additional support and was considered by the House Natural Resources Committee on April 9. The Committee “reported it favorably”
Photos Taken Today Show Dredging Progress
My estimate on one-third complete is purely a guess based on the original timetable and a visual assessment of the placement area. See the photos below, all taken today.
Looking south toward FM1960 Bridge.Dredge is in upper center. Closer shot reveals dredge bit was submerged and the dredge was pumping.Supply boat docks with dredge. Dredge was at left end of red line this morning and pumping to placement area in red box in upper right.
This program uses money left over from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency West Fork Dredging Program. Therefore, dredging is restricted to the West Fork.
Map of current dredge plan. Today, the dredge was operating slightly NW of the #4 position.
The dredge you saw above is pumping spoils approximately four miles to the northeast. Dredging “spoils” are the materials, including sand, silt, clay, and other organic matter, removed from the bottom of the Lake.
Below is a photo of the placement area for the spoils.
Looking E toward Dayton and Liberty. Luce Bayou Inter-Basin Transfer Canal (left) and placement area (right).
Spoils enter at lower left via a pipeline. Water carrying the sediment then works its way through the maze of compartments in the pond and circles back to where it entered. The closer shot below shows the dirt spreading out. Eventually it will be hard enough to build homes on.
The maze slows down the speed of the water and allows dirt to drop out of suspension.Higher shot shows a “delta” forming within the pond.Before this operation is complete, bulldozers will spread the dirt around evenly.Spoils enter the pond through the pipe on the right. De-silted water exits the pond just a few feet away. It returns to Lake Houston through the canal in the upper right.
Progress on Cunningham Bill to Create Lake Houston Dredging/Maintenance District
The immensity of this task dramatizes the need for State Rep. Charles Cunningham’s bill (HB1532) to create a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District. The project above covers only a tiny portion of the lake, which is losing capacity due to sedimentation.
Cunningham’s bill would create a permanent dredging district for Lake Houston.
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2/24/25 – Yesterday, I posted pictures and video of a river of muck hundreds of feet wide that has poured out of Hallett Materials 170-acre settling pond into the San Jacinto West Fork…for a full year. Today, I’ll talk about the high cost of living downstream from that situation.
But Hallett has even more environmental issues. The West Fork now flows directly through one of the company’s other pits. It also flows through a third pit that Hallett sold to a residential developer just weeks before the dikes on the pit failed.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has not addressed any of those problems. It investigated one issue, ignored two others and issued no fines – despite a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to “take action against sand mining operations violating regulations.”
Up the Down Escalator
It became clear after Harvey, that sand clogging the West Fork had contributed to epic flooding downstream from the sand mines. 16,000 homes and 3,300 businesses flooded in the Humble/Kingwood area.
The Army Corps said sediment had reduced the conveyance of the river up to 90% in places. But even after taxpayers bore almost $200 million of dredging costs, the river still has not returned to pre-Harvey conditions. More sand keeps coming.
Sand miners claim rivers naturally convey sediment. True. But that ignores the contribution of 20 square miles of exposed sediment in sand mines once protected by dense vegetation. Call the logic police.
Should we ignore industrial air pollution because bird poop falls naturally from the sky?
Meanwhile, downstream areas pay the price. Until we fix the problem of leaky sand mines, the river will continue to silt in as fast as we can dredge it.
See the photos below taken today at River Grove Park where the Kingwood Diversion Ditch outfalls to the San Jacinto West Fork.
Looking upstream. Outfall of Kingwood Diversion Ditch at River Grove Park on right. Compare what it looked like after Harvey.
Before the Army Corps completed dredging after Harvey, River Grove flooded five times in one six month period. The Corps liberated River Grove in December 2018.
KSA supplemented the Corps dredging and reopened its boat ramp in March 2020. Now, less than five years later, we need serious dredging again. See below.
Looking downstream. Note color of West Fork in this and succeeding pictures compared to water coming from Diversion Ditch.
Note: the water level is down slightly for a dam repair project downstream.
Closer shot shows deepest water is now measured in inches. Reportedly, only kayaks can now get through.However, the sand bars do make a convenient resting place for waterfowl.Overhead shot shows how much gap has filled in.
Dredging Estimated to Cost More than Half of KSA’s Cash Reserves
Last year, KSA obtained bids to dredge the outfall. However, the cost amounted to more than $800,000, more than half of KSA’s cash reserves at the time.
Since then, in my opinion, the sedimentation has worsened. So, dredging could cost even more now.
And this is just one ditch among many on the West Fork. All the more reason to reduce sediment coming from upstream sand mines.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/24/25
2736 Days since Hurricane Harvey
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1/28/25 – To date, members of the 89th Texas Legislature have introduced more than three dozens bills relating to flooding, dredging, and aggregate production operations (APOs) in Austin this year. The deadline for filing additional bills is Friday, March 14, 2025, 60 days from the start of the session. So, more could follow.
But here is a brief rundown on bills flood- and mitigation-related bills with links to the text of the actual bills on the Texas Legislature Online website.
Flooding
Thirty-six bills contain the keywords “flood” or “flooding.” So, I won’t summarize each. Instead, I’ll focus on those that could make the largest impact in the Houston region.
HB 2068 by Rep. Dennis Paul would amend the bill that created the Harris County Flood Control District. It would allow the district to grow beyond the boundaries of Harris County, when and if surrounding counties wish to join the District and coordinate efforts. The expanded District’s board would have five directors appointed by the governor.
HB 1209 by Rep. Charles Cunningham addresses the minimum number of instructional days required by the state’s schools affected by “flood days” or other extreme weather conditions. See also similar bills, such as HB 236, HB 683, HB 1157, HB 1703, HB 276, HB 1889, SB 233, and HB 1257.
State Representative Charles Cunningham from District 127.
HB 866 by Ron Reynolds would create a Climate Change Impact Assessment Council. The Council would assess current and potential effects of climate change and their costs. It would also research ways to mitigate climate change and recommend legislation to minimize its adverse impacts.
HB 941 by Rep. Briscoe Cain and SB 75 by Sen. Bob Hall et. al. relate to the resilience of the electric grid during extreme weather events and other hazards. It would establish a security commission to establish resilience standards, plans and provisions.
HB 798 by Rep. Armando Walle relates to the rights and duties of both residential tenants and landlords involved in disputes that may arise over flooding, broken pipes, sewage backups and other habitability issues. It defines how long the parties have to cure defects or non-payments in the disputes, and what their rights are.
Dredging
Legislators have introduced three bills containing the keywords “dredge” or “dredging.”
HB 1532 by Rep. Charles Cunningham relates to the creation of a Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District. It would give the District the authority to issue bonds and sell the material it dredges, but would not give it taxing authority.
HB 1069 by Rep. Chris Turner relates to the classification of construction workers in dredging and other trades, and their eligibility for unemployment benefits.
SB 766 by Senator Judith Zaffirini corrects references, including those related to dredge material and dredging plans, in TCEQ documents and regulations.
Aggregate Production Operations
Four bills refer to “aggregate production operations” (APOs). APOs include sand mines, which have contributed to flooding by increasing sedimentation in the headwaters of Lake Houston.
HB 873 by Rep. Terry M. Wilson relates to permits for APOs. Among other things, it would require APOs to control erosion by revegetating barren land. It would also require them to provide performance bonds to the TCEQ that would cover the cost of violations.
HB1163 by Rep. Charles Cunningham would amend Subchapter E (Planning and Financial Responsibility) of the state water code. It targets APOs operating within 1500 feet of the San Jacinto River or its tributaries. And it would obligate APOs to develop a restoration plan. Among other items, the bill requires APOs to return water quality of the “receiving body” (i.e., the river) to its original condition in the event of an unauthorized discharge. The main focus is on restoration of the mine itself and guarantees that would cover the costs of restoration.
HB 1018 by Rep. Terry M. Wilson establishes a certification program for APO operators, identifying those that do and don’t comply with best management practices.
SB 729 by Sen. Nathan Johnson relates to the operation of rock crushing facilities and monitoring of the air contaminants they generate.
Flood Infrastructure Fund
I couldn’t find anything yet about the state’s Flood Infrastructure Fund. Will the legislature ad to the funding? The State compiled its first flood plan last year. It contained more than $50 billion in project recommendations. What will be their fate? Stay tuned. I’ll try to review the progress of these and related bills as the session progresses.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/28/25
2709 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20240919-DSC_0586.jpg?fit=1100%2C733&ssl=17331100adminadmin2025-01-28 16:52:192025-01-28 16:58:4589th Texas Legislature Bills Related to Flooding, Dredging, APOs
1/16/2025 – Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, and Distict E Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger discussed the status of numerous flood projects at a meeting of the Kingwood Area Republican Women today at the Oakhurst Golf Club.
Ramsey addressing Kingwood Area Republican Women’s Club today.
Among the projects they covered were:
Taylor Gully Improvements/Woodridge Village Detention
Legal Changes Governing Pre-Release of Water from Lakes
Edgewater Park
Dredging
Medians
Flood Tunnels
Subsidence
Below are the highlights. They also discussed other issues such as median maintenance, vine control, crime, taxes, government waste, elections and more. But I will focus primarily on infrastructure issues related to flooding – especially Taylor Gully and Woodridge Village, because of pending approvals this month.
Taylor Gully/Woodridge Village
After Perry Homes clearcut approximately 270 acres in Montgomery County, hundreds of Kingwood homes flooded twice in 2019 along Taylor Gully. Taylor Gully runs through the northern part of Kingwood from Kingwood Park High School to White Oak Creek.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCDFC) began working on mitigation plans in 2021 and presented preliminary recommendations to the community in December, 2022.
The county had high hopes for funding from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but those ran into a potential snag. Taylor Gully improvements fit within available HUD funding, but Woodridge Village (the former Perry Homes Property) did not. HCFCD hoped to build more stormwater detention basin capacity on Woodridge to help control Taylor Gully expenses downstream.
Regardless HCFCD pressed forward. They combined the two projects. And according to HCFCD, both now fit with available funding capacity (see “above the line” list on page 2) of the list being presented to Commissioners Court next week on 1/23/25.
The county purchased Woodridge Village in February 2021. Shortly thereafter, HCFCD began an excavation and removal (E&R) contract to get a “head start” on the basins. Indeed, the head start brought the total stormwater detention on the site almost to Atlas-14 standards.
However, HCFCD was forced to terminate the E&R contract before the basins could be completed. That was to comply with HUD requirements while HUD considered the grant application.
This is potentially great news for the people who live in Sherwood Trails, Elm Grove, Mills Branch and Woodstream.
Watch commissioner’s court closely next Thursday. The Kingwood area drainage study named this project as one of the two most important in Kingwood.
Kingwood Diversion Ditch and Upstream Detention
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch was the other of the two most important projects. The Diversion Ditch takes floodwaters out of Bens Branch, which runs diagonally through the center of Kingwood from St. Martha Catholic Church to River Grove Park.
Improving the Diversion Ditch would reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes and apartments, Kingwood High School, Town Center, and Kings Harbor. Both Bens Branch and the Diversion Ditch currently have a two-year level of service. That means they have a 50% chance of coming out of their banks in any given year.
Ramsey estimated today that the project could cost $60 million. However, he also indicated that U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw “got us enough money so we can do the final engineering.”
Eric Heppen, Precinct 3 engineer, later stated that once Commissioners Court approves the preliminary report, it will be made public.
Flickinger emphasized that he is talking with Montgomery County, trying to get them to retain more of their floodwaters. He raised concerns about a new 200,000 sq. ft. convention center planned for US59 at Valley Ranch. “That will generate a lot of runoff that could come down to us, unless we work together to find a way to hold that water up there.”
Houston City Council Member Fred Flickingerat same meeting.
Additional Floodgates for Lake Houston
Shortly after Harvey, many people pinned their flood-mitigation hopes on additional floodgates for the Lake Houston dam. The idea: to lower the lake faster when it becomes certain that a storm will flood the area. The existing gates have 1/15th the capacity of Lake Conroe’s. So Lake Houston must start releasing far earlier in advance of storms than Lake Conroe. And by the time Lake Houston is lowered, storms can veer away, wasting valuable water.
So Conroe tends to hold its water back until it is absolutely certain. At that point, it has no other choice than to release water at high rates that flood people downstream.
Being able to lower Lake Houston faster would let Lake Conroe release earlier and slower, smoothing out flood peaks downstream.
Ramsey estimated the cost of 11 new floodgates that could release 80,000 cubic feet per second at $150 million. He said the final engineering should be completed this year. He also said that bidding and construction could start in 2026.
Legal Changes Governing Pre-Release of Water
Flickinger addressed a related legal issue. State law limits the release of water from lakes; it must be only for defined beneficial uses and flood control is not one of them.
So, Flickinger is working with State Rep. Charles Cunningham to change that and increase the limit. “Bottom line,” he said, “is that we need to release more water sooner rather than holding it back until we’re adding to the crest of the flood.”
Flickinger is also working with the San Jacinto River Authority on these changes.
Edgewater Park
After Harvey, the County acquired land on the northeast corner of the West Fork and US59, which will turn into Edgewater Park. It will also connect the Houston Parks Board’s West Fork Greenway with the Spring Creek Nature Trail. Ramsey said the plans will be made public very soon. After the meeting, Precinct 3 engineer Eric Heppen confirmed the plans were 99% complete.
Ramsey said, “Soon, you’ll be able to go from Kingwood to Tomball and not cross a road.” That should be a tremendous draw for hikers and bikers and the entire area.
Dredging
Flickinger discussed two aspects of dredging not covered in last night’s post. First, he is seeking additional funding to continue the current program while the dredge is on the lake. Second, he feels opportunities exist to increase efficiency.
I asked what he meant by that. FEMA restrictions on the funds currently being used limit the dredging to “pre-Harvey” conditions. That means, Callan Marine, the contractor, must dredge to different depths to match the exact bottom profile that existed before Harvey. And that requires repositioning the dredge more than if you were just dredging to a uniform depth across wide areas.
The search for additional funding has led Flickinger to the City, the Coastal Water Authority (CWA) and former State Representative Dan Huberty. Huberty was appointed to the board of CWA last last year by Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Medians
Several people from the audience questioned Flickinger about the medians along Kingwood Drive. He touted the success of his first Median Madness event in November 2024 and announced another on February 22, 2025. Mark your calendar now.
More than 50 volunteers participated in the last vine-cutting extravaganza. He hopes for many more volunteers this time.
Flood Tunnels
The county is getting ready to launch the next phase of its flood tunnel study. Ramsey emphasized that there isn’t enough room in Harris County to poke enough holes in the ground to solve all of our flooding problems. He sees tunnels that carry floodwater from strategic locations as essential parts of the solution.
Eric Heppen, Ramsey’s engineer said that by burying the 40 foot tunnels 80 feet underground, you can double the conveyance in some watersheds, sidestep environmental issues, and avoid having to condemn property.
But many issues have yet to be worked out. For instance, will tunnels be constructed to relieve 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year or 50-year flooding? More to follow when details become available.
Subsidence
Harris County estimates the area east of Lake Houston will grow by 18,000 homes in the next 10 years. But there currently are no plans to provide them with surface water. So, they will pump groundwater. That means subsidence. And subsidence means flooding, according to Ramsey. He pointed to Conroe as an example. The City’s groundwater pumping has caused subsidence as far south as Harris County.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/16/25
2697 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221206-Taylor-Gully.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=112001200adminadmin2025-01-16 21:37:172025-01-17 14:29:08Ramsey, Flickinger Discuss Status of Flood Projects
1/15/25 – The City of Houston’s latest West Fork Dredging Program appears to be off to a fast start. Dredging began about a month ago and has already filled up approximately 10 percent of the placement area. The program was originally estimated to last two years.
Shortly after sunrise yesterday, Callan Marine’s General Pershing Dredge lifted its bit out of the water temporarily as the dredge was repositioned. Note the FM1960 bridge downstream in the upper right.
Pictures Taken 1/14/25
Yesterday morning, the Callan dredge was anchored off Atascocita Point. Just three weeks ago, it began across the river in Kingwood. The pictures below tell the story.
Looking N.Atascocita Point on left and Kingwood on far side of river. Can you spot the Kings Point water tower?
Callan will pump slurry to the placement area through that winding 18″ pipe in the photo above. It goes approximately four miles to an area near the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Canal. See pictures below.
The Amazing Maze
There, Callan separates the water from sand and silt with an ingenious maze. The twists and turns in the maze slow the water down, so sediment drops out of suspension.
Water comes in at the upper right and exits near the same point. Note how the sediment is higher on the wall near the entry, then tapers off. To visually estimate percentage of completion, compare levels on both sides of the diagonal berm in right foreground.
The 35-acre pond currently in use is surrounded by berms approximately 6-8 feet tall that contain the slurry. Callan has room at this same site to build another pond of approximately the same size. The two together will total 70 acres.
Cleared but unfinished areain foregroundwill contain a second pond. Luce Interbasin Transfer Canal on right.Notice how bulldozers have built small temporary walls that channel the slurry away from areas where fill has already reached the full height of the berms.When filled, this area will be high and hard enough to build new homes on.
Bulldozers spread the sediment out in layers that allow excess water to drain out or evaporate. One dredging expert told me that when dry, the sediment will be hard enough to support foundations and homes.
Small, low temporary berms within the placement area concentrate the slurry where workers want it to go.
Water that Doesn’t Evaporate Returns to the Lake
The pictures below track the movement of water within the placement area.
Slurry shoots in from the dredge almost 4 miles away.Then bulldozers spread out and compact the dirt.Water that doesn’t evaporate eventually makes its way through the maze back to the two pipes (center at bottom)Boards in front of the exit pipes control the level of water in the pond and the rate of outflow.After dirt is separated from the water, any remaining water that doesn’t evaporate re-enters Lake Houston (upper left).
Comparison with December
To see how much progress Callan has made, compare the pictures above with the one below taken, just three weeks ago.
Progress as of 12/21/24.
Beneficial Use
I wonder if that return channel will become a ready-made detention basin when the landowner develops the site. This is an ingenious example of “beneficial use” – turning a problem into a solution.
Up the Down Escalator
Nevertheless, there is a cost associated with dredging. Funding for the program comes from FEMA via U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw. The City will use money left over from previous West Fork Mouth Bar dredging. Crenshaw secured $125 million in federal funding to cover dredging, including phases already completed.
Some of the sediment shown above comes from natural erosion. Some also comes from upstream sand mining.
With 20 square miles of sand mines in a 20-mile reach of the West Fork between I-45 and US59, the average width of exposed sediment during floods is one mile.
Sometimes I compare flooding issues to trying to walk up a down escalator.
In this case, we’ve failed to establish an effective regulatory regime based on a comprehensive set of best management practices for sand mines. And the public is paying the price in terms of increased flood risk and mitigation costs.
If you haven’t already written the TCEQ to register your concerns about their proposed (but inadequate) best management practices for sand mining, please do so. The public comment period ends on January 24. This post contains more about the problems with the TCEQ’s proposed BMPs. Texans for Responsible Aggregate Mining has even bigger concerns which I posted about yesterday.
Please mail your concerns to Jess Robinson, MC 175, Office of Legal Services, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Or you may submit them electronically. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on January 24, 2025, and should reference “APO BMP List Proposal.”
So far, only a handful of people have registered public comments. So please help.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/15/25
2696 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/2025/01/20250114-DJI_20250114091626_0721_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-01-15 13:39:462025-06-21 19:14:42New West Fork Dredging Program Off to Fast Start
