New Caney ISD’s new West Fork High School on Sorters-McClellan Road south of Kingwood Drive celebrated its grand opening on August 23, 2022. Here’s a video of the event. I’ve been following the construction of the school since early 2020.
Construction is the riskiest period in a project as we saw with the aborted Woodridge Village project. Sheet flow during heavy rains flooded Elm Grove Village and North Kingwood Forest twice in 2019, largely because of the failure to follow best practices. Contractors cleared 270 acres before building required detention ponds.
No Flooding During Construction
However, New Caney ISD built a large detention pond at the low end of the site when it started construction. They also planted grass in it right away. Luckily, TA DA, no one flooded during construction. And no major erosion problems were observed. Amazing how safety improves when you follow best practices.
Pictures of Completed Campus
Here are pictures of the school taken 9/4/22, Sunday morning when no students were around. The campus looks beautiful and will make a welcome addition for New Caney ISD students in the area.
Wide shot showing whole campus including detention pond. Looking NE across Sorters-McClellan Road toward HCA Kingwood Medical Center in background.Closer shot looking in same direction. Looking NW from SE corner of site over the detention basin. Track, field events, baseball and a dedicated athletic facility on the left.Looking directly west at back of new high school.Looking south from north end of main complex.Central open-air courtyard, a signature feature of the new school. Gives more classrooms sunlight.Completing the circle. Looking NE again from SW corner of main building.
Historical Photos of Construction Progress
To look back at the sequence of construction photos starting in June 2020, see the links below.
Congratulations to New Caney ISD, its students, and all the neighbors who survived construction.
There’s still a little work left to do. The road in front of the high school is widening. A pile of dirt at the north end needs to be removed. And pipe, most likely for irrigation, still remains in places. But I think we can safely close the books on this project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/4/22
1832 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220904-DJI_0405.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-09-04 13:23:012022-09-04 13:27:09New West Fork High School Opens
I last updated Humble ISD’s Kingwood Middle School (KMS) and New Caney ISD’s West Fork High School construction projects in mid-March. Since then, KMS contractors have continued work to finish the exteriors while beginning interior work.
Humble ISD has not updated its web page on KMS construction details, but some changes are visible from the exterior.
South side of building now almost all “glassed in.”Ditto for north side.Roof is substantially complete, though some work remains on AC units.West side looking east from over Woodland Hills Drive.SW side looking NE. Most of the heavy equipment is gone.Looking NW from SE side. Old building in foreground will be demolished to make way for athletic fields. Easternmost building still has the longest way to go.
New Caney ISD posted this April update on work to date for its new West Fork High School. The high school is south of the HCA Kingwood Medical Center between Sorters McClellan Road and US59.
“Overall completion of the buildings and site work is 78 percent complete. The main building and athletic support facilities are dried in with portions of the main building being air conditioned. All interior partitions are complete with finishes such as painting and ceramic tile in progress. The electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in work is 85 percent complete. The ceiling grid is being installed, allowing the installation of light fixtures, A/C grills, life/safety devices, data, and sound systems to progress. The artificial turf for the football field is 80 percent complete with turf at the baseball and softball fields to follow. The general contractor is distributing topsoil in preparation to begin irrigation and landscaping.”
Here’s what all of that looks like.
Looking SE across front of campus. Sorters McClellan Road is on right. West Fork is in background out of sight.Looking NE from over Sorters-McClellan Road. Field house and football field.It’s starting to feel like fall and it’s not even summer yet.Looking north. Campus is out of frame on left. 59 is out of frame on right.Looking NW across front of field house toward high school and Sorters-McClellan Road. Looking N toward northern entrance off Kingwood Place Drive.
Compare with Previous Updates
To see how the project has progressed, compare these previous posts.
Neither of these projects has yet had an impact on local flooding.
KMS built a temporary retention pond. When the old school is torn down, it will be replaced with a larger permanent pond.
West Fork High School already has a permanent pond. It was the first thing to be completed. Grass has been growing in it since March of 2021. This has reduced the threat of sedimentation during construction. I wish all construction projects followed this model.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/4/2022
1709 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220430-DJI_0312.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-05-04 19:24:072022-05-04 19:28:40Construction Update: KMS and West Fork High School
One of the largest construction projects currently underway in the Kingwood Area is New Caney ISD’s West Fork High School, south of the HCA Kingwood Medical Center. New Caney ISD provided degrees of completion for all the trades associated with the project as of March 2022.
Athletic fields and structures – 70%
Concrete masonry 65%
Rough electrical – 80%
Rough mechanical – 80%
Rough plumbing – 90%
Insulation – 75%
Windows – 65%
Interior metal studs – 85%
Exterior paint – 50%
Curtain wall – 65%
Exterior storefront – 90%
Concrete paving, parking lot and driveways – 95%
Gas service – 90%
Water service – 80%
Sidewalks – 45%
Interior gypsum board – 65%
Interior paint 20%
Ceramic tile – 10%
Sorters Road storm drain – 90%
Rough grade – 75%
Aerial Photos from 3/13/22
Here’s what that looks like. Aerial photos show the exterior of the main building and athletic facilities rapidly nearing completion.
Looking NE at New Caney ISD West Fork High School. HCA Kingwood Medical Center is white complex in background near horizon.Interior courtyardNew ball fields. US59 runs left to right across top of frame. North is left.Field house, football field and track. Looking east toward US 59.Looking SW toward Sorters-McClellan Road.Runners take your marks. Set. Go!The detention pond will need some erosion repair before this project is done.Sorters-McClellan Road is being expanded to handle the increased traffic. Looking N from over detention pond.Looking S at widening of Sorters-McClellan Road. Note proximity to West Fork and 59 Bridge in background.
Compare with Previous Updates
To see how the project has progressed, compare these previous posts.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220313-DJI_0800.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-03-15 13:12:272022-03-15 13:12:31New Caney ISD West Fork High School March Construction Update
Although much finish work remains, contractors have finished blocking out New Caney ISD’s new West Fork High School. Walls, structural steel and roofs are up. Some windows are in. Now they are widening Sorters-McClellan Road. They are also building another access route through woods that will connect to Kingwood Place Drive, the street immediately west of the HCA Kingwood Medical Center.
Photos Taken 11/6/2021
I took all of the shots below on November 6, 2021, with the exception of the last one from November a year ago.
New Caney ISD West Fork High School Construction as of 11/6/2021. Looking NE from over Sorters-McClellan Road toward HCA Kingwood Medical Center and Insperity in top center.Looking south from over Sorters-McClellan Road, which is apparently being widened in front of the high school and then some.Note the wetlands and cypress trees in the upper right.Looking north from over detention pond at south end of campus. I-69 in upper right.Fieldhouse, track and football field.New access road through woods will connect with Kingwood Place DriveLooking south. Note windows being installed in center.Looking SE. Much sitework remains.From a higher altitude, you can see the proximity to the San Jacinto West Fork. From the upper left, it curves around the large pond then becomes visible again to the left of the sand mine in the upper right.
Wetlands Gone Forever
From US Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Mapper. Green areas are/were freshwater forested/shrub wetlands. Blue/gray areas are freshwater ponds. High school site is in center of frame. Image taken shortly after clearing.Note large area of former wetlands where athletic fields will be.
I’m sorry to see the wetlands go, but now that they’re gone, I want to see them complete the drainage for this campus ASAP to make sure everything gets channeled into the detention pond. That will minimize the chance of flooding neighbors.
New Caney ISD expects to finish construction by the summer of 2022.
General plan for New Caney High School #3
Posted by Bob Rehak on November 8, 2021
1532 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20211106-DJI_0723.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2021-11-07 17:24:212021-11-07 21:25:37New Caney ISD’s West Fork High School Blocked Out; Access Being Enhanced
Two new schools in the Kingwood area are building up, not out. Hopefully, this trend will, in a small way, reduce the percentage of impervious cover and create room for detention ponds to capture stormwater runoff.
Earlier this week, I photographed Kingwood Middle School and West Fork High School construction. As of mid-August, the structural steel work for both is almost complete.
Kingwood Middle School Replacement
The site looks crowded now, but when the new three story facility is complete, athletic fields and a giant detention pond will replace the old facility.
Looking west toward Woodland Hills Drive. KMS Construction as of mid-August 2021Looking east from over Woodland Hills This view looking north makes it easy to compare the height of the old and new buildings.The structural steel work has reached its eastern limit.
To see the progress, compare the pictures above to those in previous posts.
Several weeks ago, New Caney ISD named its third high school the West Fork High School. It too will be a three story structure, and is going up between Sorters-McClellan Road and US59 south of Kingwood Drive.
Looking NNE over the new campus toward Kingwood Medical Center. Insperity, and Kingwood Drive. US59 in upper right.Wider shot looking NNW toward the West Fork shows a large detention pond in the foreground is now grassed in. However, note sediment entering the pond through storm sewers that drain the site.Looking SW toward Sorters-McClellan Road and West Fork. River is mostly hidden behind trees. For reference, note Costco in upper left.
Note the football field and track taking shape in the left middle of the frame and the field house still going up next to it.
To see the progress, compare the pictures in these posts:
New Caney ISD expects to complete construction by the summer of 2022.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 8/20/2021
1452 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210819-DJI_0387-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2021-08-20 12:34:032021-08-20 12:34:08Education Going Higher; Construction Updates on Two New Schools
Between US59 and Sorters-McClellan Road, a few blocks south of Kingwood Drive, New Caney ISD High School #3 is finally taking shape. And it now has an official name: West Fork High High School.
On January 1, 2021, contractors were just starting to pour concrete for the foundations and parking lots. According to the New Caney ISD’s June update:
Site work storm drainage is 95 percent complete
Sanitary sewer system – 85 percent.
Electrical system – 98 percent.
Water system – 90 percent.
Building concrete slab – 90 percent.
Form and pour tilt-up panels – 99 percent.
Erect panels – 95 percent.
Structural steel – 55 percent.
Metal decking – 20 percent.
Concrete masonry unit (cinder block) masonry – 10 percent.
Aerial Photos Taken 7.12.21
Here’s how all that looked on the afternoon of July 12, 2021.
Looking NE from over Sorters-McClellan Road toward Kingwood Medical Center and Insperity (top center).Looking east toward Field House and where playing fields will go just beyond it. US59 and Lowe’s in background.Looking south at entire site. Sorters-McClellan Road on right. US59 on left and top.A peak into New Caney ISD’s West Fork High School three-story structuresLooking north at entire site. Huge detention pond in foreground. Looking North. Corrugated metal installed as base for roofing on four buildings.
Site Plan, Architectural Renderings for New Caney ISD West Fork High School
Here’s how it should all look when finished.
Architectural Rendering courtesy of New Caney ISD.
Architectural Rendering courtesy of New Caney ISD.
Architectural Rendering courtesy of New Caney ISD.
General plan for New Caney High School #3
New Caney ISD expects to finish construction on the 60-acre site in the summer of 2022. The site is in Montgomery County, but also the City of Houston’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction.
Detention Pond Requirements
The dry-bottom detention pond takes up approximately 5 of the 60 acres – or one twelfth of the site. Assuming it’s 12 feet deep, it would hold a foot of rain falling on the entire site. The new minimum recommendation for a site this size in Harris County and the City is .65 acre feet of detention per acre. That would be about 40 acre-feet of detention, which a pond 8 feet deep would hold.
Because the construction site is closed, and the plans I have don’t specify depth, it’s hard to say exactly how much capacity the detention pond has. But I’m guessing it’s deep enough to meet the new minimum requirements under Atlas 14. I say that judging by the height of the pond walls compared to the pipes leading into it.
I would expect no less from a public school system.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/12/2021
1413 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210712-DJI_0066.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2021-07-12 17:54:312021-07-12 17:55:11New Caney ISD’s New West Fork High School Taking Shape
It was about a year ago that New Caney ISD cleared land for its third high school between Sorters-McClellan Road and US 59 south of Kingwood Drive. Today, the site is a beehive of activity. Construction crews have erected walls that will eventually define the shape of High School #3. I took the pictured below on 5/26/2021.
New Caney ISD Campus #3 on Sorters McClellan Road south of Kingwood Drive.
The New Caney ISD says that as of May 2021, “The site work at Comprehensive High School #3 includes storm drainage which is 95 percent complete. The sanitary sewer is 85 percent complete. The electrical is 98 percent complete and the water is 90 percent complete. The concrete slab on the building is 85 percent complete. The form and pour tilt-up panels are 95 percent complete. The erect panels are 80 percent complete and the structural steel is five percent complete.”
New Caney ISD’s enrollment grew 31 percent between 2011 and 2016. That ranked NCISD first in the greater Houston area and fourth in the state for percentage enrollment growth. Eventually, the high school will hold 2,250 students. However, the school will open with only 1,350 in August 2022.
FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer shows that the extent of the floodplain in this area roughly parallels Sorter’s McClellan Road. The high school property falls roughly within the red circle.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/29/2021
1369 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210526-RJR_8088.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2021-05-29 15:38:242021-05-29 15:43:16New Caney High School #3 Taking Shape
South of Kingwood’s HCA Medical Center, contractors have made slow but steady progress on the site for New Caney High School #3 between Sorters-McClellan Road and US59. I reported last November that they were pouring concrete. They still are. But there’s a lot more of it on the ground of the 80+ acre site. About half of the site is now covered with gray concrete. However, the most striking feature is the intensely green detention pond. The grass lining it looks more like a thick blanket of neon green faux fur.
Photos Taken on 3/19/2021
Looking east across the southern part of the site at the large detention pond. Grass in such ponds reduces erosion. The erosion can clog ditches, streams and rivers; and contribute to flooding.US59 cuts through the top of the frame. For orientation, note the Lowes Store in the upper left.Looking south toward the San Jacinto River, which is out of sight above the top of the frame. Sorters-McClellan Road cuts through the upper right of the frame. Approximately half the site is now covered in concrete. Playing fields will eventually occupy the area to the left.Looking NE from the northernmost part of the site. US59 cuts diagonally through the upper right of the frame. Note HCA Medical Center and Insperity in the distance at Kingwood Drive.Artists rendering of New Caney High School #3, looking east. The main entrance of the school will face Sorters-McClellan Road; the playing fields will face US59.General plan for New Caney High School #3. North is to the left.
New Caney ISD’s enrollment grew 31 percent between 2011 and 2016. That ranked NCISD first in the greater Houston area and fourth in the state for percentage enrollment growth. Eventually, the high school will hold 2,250 students. However, the school will open with only 1,350.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20210319-DJI_0344.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2021-03-25 14:12:262021-03-25 14:12:31Construction Update: New Caney High School #3 Site Going Green and Gray
From construction developments to political developments, here’s your January digest of ten stories that could affect flooding or flood mitigation in the Lake Houston Area.
1. New Caney ISD High School #3
This site is located between Sorters-McClellan Road and US59 south of the HCA Kingwood Medical Center. New Caney ISD is building a new high school on the site of the old par 3 golf course behind the car dealerships that front US59. Construction crews are still pouring concrete for foundations and parking lots. Not much happened between flyovers on December 7 and January 1. But then, not much happens anywhere during the holidays. The two photos below show the progress. Construction of the detention pond is nearing completion. However, contractors still need to plant grass to reduce erosion before spring rains arrive.
New Caney ISD High School #3 site as of December 7, 2020As of January 1, 2021.
Now, the development is back on the planning commission agenda for this Thursday. Holley is seeking approval of his latest General Plan and Plat. Neither show any detention ponds. The only place they could go would be in “Reserve C.” The General Plan shows that to be in the floodway and 100-year floodplain. Both could soon expand.
The West Fork floodway cuts through the southern part of Holley’s property.
The City raised an issue regarding compliance with regulations governing the re-plat of golf courses at the 12/17/2020 Planning Commission meeting. The City requested information relating to Local Government Code 212.0155.
That regulation requires, among other things, that:
Public notice of the re-plat be printed in newspapers
The Forest Cove Property Owners Association is notified
Residents have an opportunity to voice their opinions at public hearings
Owners of all properties within 200 feet of the new plat be notified in writing via US Mail.
If 20% of the owners object, the re-plat must win the approval of 3/5ths of the planning commission.
The developer proves there is adequate existing or planned infrastructure to support the new development.
The new subdivision will not adversely affect health, safety traffic, parking, drainage, water, sewer, or other utilities
The development will not have a materially adverse effect on existing single-family property values.
The new plat complies with all applicable land-use regulations and restrictive covenants and the City’s land-use policies.
That’s a lot to do over the holidays. So the general plan may need to be withdrawn and resubmitted after all the information has been produced. We should know more by Wednesday afternoon.
3. Dredging
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin’s January newsletter stated that Disaster Recover Corporation has removed 385,000 cubic yards from the West Fork Mouth Bar out of an estimated total of 400,000 cubic yards.
Then he alluded to dredging another 260,000 cubic yards from the area north of the mouth bar.
He also alluded to a Second Phase: dredging the San Jacinto East Fork and other locations in Lake Houston.
Finally, Martin discussed maintenance dredging. “Additionally,” he says, “during Phase Two of the project, City of Houston, Harris County, HCFCD, SJRA, and Coastal Water Authority (CWA) will develop and execute a plan for the City of Houston or CWA to assume long-term dredging operations on Lake Houston. This effort will include determining funding for dredging operations in perpetuity.”
4. Appointments to SJRA Board
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Wil Faubel and Rick Mora, M.D. and reappointed Kaaren Cambio to the San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors. Their terms will expire on October 16, 2025.
Kaaren Cambio of Kingwood is a field representative for United States Congressman Dan Crenshaw. She is a former member of Women’s Business Enterprise National Investment Recovery Association, Pipeline Contractors Association, and the Houston Pipeliners Association. Cambio received a Bachelor of Business Administration from San Diego State University.
Wil Faubel of Montgomery is President of Borets US Inc. He is a veteran and senior executive in the Oilfield Services industry with more than forty years of service. He has both domestic and international experience and is a lifelong member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a former board member of the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association. Faubel received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University.
Rick Mora, M.D. of The Woodlands is a partner at US Anesthesia Partners and Chief of Anesthesiology for Memorial Hermann Pinecoft Surgery Center. He has served as chair of the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is a founding Board member of the non-profit, Los Doctores de The Woodlands. Mora received his MD from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine.
5. Forest Cove Townhome Buyouts
Harris County Commissioner’s Court will vote today on an item to exercise eminent domain on seven townhomes in the Forest Cove complex. The entire complex was destroyed after Harvey and many owners simply walked away from their properties without leaving forwarding addresses. Flood Control has been unable to find the owners after years of trying. Several may have moved out of the country. Eminent domain on these last few properties will clear the way for demolition of the entire complex and restoration of the area to nature or park land.
The once proud and idyllic townhomes in Forest Cove next to West Fork.
6. Woodridge Village
The purchase of Woodridge Village from Perry Homes is not on today’s Commissioner’s Court Agenda. However, all energies are reportedly still positive. It’s just taking time to work out the complex three-way purchase arrangements.
7. Romerica
Houston PlatTracker shows that the Romerica people may have acquired more land. But so far, they have not returned to the planning commission for approval on the latest iteration of the developer’s plans. No news is good news in this case.
8. Lake Houston Spillway Improvement Project
The City is close to finalizing the Preliminary Engineering Plan. Sources say the benefit/cost ratio looks very positive. We may see the final recommendations this month.
Engineers have examined several alternatives to add more gates to the Lake Houston dam or to increase its spillway capacity.
9. Noxxe Cleanup
The Railroad Commission could start plugging wells, removing storage tanks, and cleaning up the abandoned Noxxe lease in Forest Cove soon. The project manager has submitted work orders for final approval.
Small part of Noxxe lease next to Forest Cove baseball fields.
See new concrete pads (left center) and new construction (right foreground).
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/5/2020
1125 Days after 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/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-05-at-1.44.19-PM.png?fit=1266%2C1054&ssl=110541266adminadmin2021-01-05 13:35:232021-01-05 13:51:37January Digest of Flood-Related News in Lake Houston Area
In June, I posted about how New Caney ISD was clearing approximately 50-60 acres of land between Sorters-McClellan Road south of the HCA Kingwood Medical Center for a new high school. Now, contractors are starting to pour concrete and drill piers to support the 337,000 square-foot, three-story building with a central courtyard. Aerial photos show their progress.
Detention Pond Now Substantially Complete
It was only last September when contractors started excavating a large and deep detention pond along the southern perimeter of the site. They used the dirt to build up and level the building pads.
Looking north from the center of the site. Note the Medical Center building in the upper right.Looking south from the center of the site toward the 59 bridge in the background.Note holes for pierswhich will support columns to hold the weight of the building.Looking west toward Sorters McClellan road from the center of the site.Note the additional holes for piers .Looking at the east end of the detention pond, over the car dealerships that front on US59.Looking in the opposite direction toward the west end of the detention pond.
General plan for New Caney High School #3
Artist rendering of building. Main entrance will face Sorters McClellan road.
New Caney ISD’s enrollment grew 31 percent between 2011 and 2016. That ranked NCISD first in the greater Houston area and fourth in the state for percentage enrollment growth. Eventually, the high school will hold 2,250 students. However, the school will open with only 1,350.
While it’s nice to see growth, from a flooding perspective, it’s also scary. One can only hope the engineers specified enough drainage capacity for the detention pond.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/14/2020
1173 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201113-DJI_0185.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=19001200adminadmin2020-11-14 11:44:562020-11-14 11:45:00Pouring Concrete for New Caney ISD High School #3
