Tag Archive for: San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan

Final San Jacinto River Basin Master Drainage Study Released Today, Recommendations Revealed

This afternoon, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA), Montgomery County, and City of Houston released final results of the massive San Jacinto River Master Drainage Plan (SJMDP) study which began in April 2019.

It will take weeks to digest all this information. It consists of:

That’s more than 3,600 pages, EXCLUDING the zipped materials.

Executive Summary Summarized

The executive summary includes a heat map of historically flooded areas, estimated structural damage costs in the next 50 years, and projected population growth during the same period. Not surprisingly, the three fasted growing areas (West Fork, Spring Creek and Cypress Creek) also show the most projected damage.

The summary then proceeds to flood-damage-reduction strategies. They include:

  • Detention Basins
  • Channel Improvements
  • Floodplain Preservation
  • Buyouts
  • Flood Warning Improvements
  • Floodplain Re-mapping
  • Policy updates
  • Formation of a vision group
  • Flood Response Improvements (Evacuation planning, protection of critical facilities such as hospitals, etc.)

The exec summary also lists the top sixteen project priorities, estimates their costs, outlines possible sources of funding, and lays out next steps.

Project Location Map
Project rankings. Note: Rankings do not necessarily coincide with numbers on map above.

“Benching” in reference to the Kingwood Area involves lowering the floodplain near the West Fork to increase flood capacity. This link shows how a similar project in California worked.

The proposed projects will provide tangible benefits, including reduction in the number of at-risk structures for a range of storms as shown in Figure 1.10 below.

With these projects in place, the level of a 100-year flood at I-69 and the West Fork could be reduced by 5.94 feet, Likewise, where Caney Creek meets the East Fork, the 100-year flood would be reduced by 2.82 feet.

Next Steps

That’s good news indeed for everyone who lives in the San Jacinto Watershed. With this information now in hand, we now can quantify the benefits of projects, priorities them, and get on with the hard work of actual mitigation.

More news to follow.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/30/2020

1219 Days since Hurricane Harvey

San Jacinto River Watershed Virtual Meeting Tonight Will Unveil Specific Recommendations to Reduce Flooding

I can’t urge you enough to watch the San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan Meeting tonight at 6:30.

Flooded Street by Julie Yandell. During Harvey.
Flooded Street during Harvey. Photo by Julie Yandell.

Updating of River Models Leads to New Insights

I previewed the presentation this morning and was extremely impressed. The study partners have updated or created hydraulic and hydrologic models for 535 miles of major streams in the river basin. They’ve also integrated the models and accounted for new developments across 3000 square miles in seven counties.

As a result, we now have a much better understanding of:

  • Where water comes from
  • Which areas have the highest potential for flooding
  • Where large regional detention basins can be placed to reduce flooding.
  • Other strategies to reduce flooding.

New Flood Maps, Sedimentation, Better Warning Systems

You don’t want to hear about this stuff second hand. The presentation also includes discussions of:

  • How much flood plains have really expanded compared to current FEMA maps.
  • Sedimentation and strategies to reduce it
  • Improving flood warning systems

If you’re flooded, or are concerned that you might, don’t miss this. This study will be the cornerstone of grants applications to mitigate flooding in the region.

Cornerstone of Lake Houston Area Mitigation Efforts

Two years ago, before the flood bond vote, community opinion coalesced around a three-part solution to flooding in the Lake Houston Area.

  • Reduce/delay the input by increasing upstream detention
  • Increase the throughput by dredging blockages
  • Speed up the output with additional gates on the Lake Houston Dam.

Tonight, you will get a chance ask questions of the people who have been studying those options and others for 18 months. Here’s how to log in:

Thursday, August 13, 2020

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Join online at PublicInput.com/SanJacMasterPlan

Or by phone at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 9742 

Order the pizza now.

This study is a cooperative venture of FEMA, Harris County Flood Control, SJRA, City of Houston and Montgomery County.

Posted by Bob Rehak on August 13, 2020

1080 Days after Hurricane Harvey

Your Chance to Ask Questions About the San Jacinto Watershed Master Drainage Plan

The San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan (SJMDP) partners will host a virtual public meeting on August 13, 2020. The purpose: to provide information about study’s progress, and encourage public participation and input. 

Heat map in draft shows where most flood damage has occurred historically by sub-watershed.

Goals of Project

The SJMDP study began in April 2019 to identify flood mitigation projects that can be implemented in the near- and long-term. Their purpose: to reduce flood risks to people and property throughout the San Jacinto River watershed.

The study area includes nearly 3,000 square miles in seven different counties and approximately 535 miles of stream. Overall, the study aims to:

  • Provide an up-to-date technical basis to identify flooding vulnerabilities
  • Understand impacts of future growth
  • Improve flood resiliency within the watershed.

The SJMDP is scheduled for completion in fall 2020. 

Community engagement is an important component of the Harris County Bond Program. The partners want your participation as the program is implemented. 

Details of Virtual Meeting

The virtual community engagement meeting will be held on:

Thursday, August 13, 2020

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Join online at PublicInput.com/SanJacMasterPlan 

Or by phone at 855-925-2801 with Meeting Code: 9742 

Note: HCFCD says that the “Join Online” link above will convert from a registration to a presentation link on the day of the webinar.

The meeting will begin with a brief presentation to share project updates, followed by a moderated Q&A session with Flood Control District team members.

Residents will be able to submit questions and comments throughout the presentation. Any comments not addressed during the Q&A session will receive a response after the event. 

For Those Who Cannot Attend…

The study partners will post a recorded version of the meeting on the Flood Control District’s website and YouTube channel after the event.

For questions, please contact the Flood Control District at 346-286-4152, or complete the online comment form.

You can also mail comments to:

  • Harris County Flood Control District
  • 9900 Northwest Freeway
  • Houston, Texas 77092
  • Attn: San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan

For more information about the San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan, visit www.sanjacstudy.org

For Those with Disabilities

Those with disabilities can make special meeting accommodations. If needed, please contact 346-286-4152 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. 

Project Funding

The SJMDP is jointly funded with 75 percent from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Planning Program and 25 percent from the four local partners: Harris County Flood Control, Montgomery County, City of Houston and the SJRA.

Posted by Bob Rehak on July 30, 2020

1037 Days after Hurricane Harvey

Reminder: Public Open House for San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan

From December 16 -19, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and its partners will hold a series of open houses to familiarize people with the San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan (SJMDP). Residents may also give input at the meetings.

HCFCD, Montgomery County, the City of Houston, and the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA), will host the open houses to provide information about the regional plan and other study efforts underway in the San Jacinto River watershed. Keeping them all straight is difficult!

Timeline for Master Drainage Plan

The SJMDP study effort began in April 2019 to identify future flood mitigation projects that can be implemented in the near- and long-term to reduce flood risks to people and property throughout the San Jacinto River regional watershed.

Timeline for the San Jacinto River Watershed Master Drainage Plan as of 12/4/2019. Source: HCFCD.

More about the Master Drainage Plan

The SJMDP is jointly funded with 75 percent from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Planning Program and 25 percent from the four local partners.

Overall, the SJMDP aims to provide an up-to-date technical basis to identify flooding vulnerabilities for existing infrastructure and impacts from future growth to improve flood resiliency within the watershed. The SJMDP should complete in fall 2020.

The SJMDP study area covers nearly 3,000 square miles located in seven different counties and includes approximately 535 miles of stream.

Open House Dates/Times/Content

Flood Control will solicit public input and participation throughout the study. The first series of public open houses for this study effort will be held on the following dates and locations:

Tomball
  • Monday, December 16, 2019
  • 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Lonestar Bekendorf Conference Center
  • 30555 Tomball Parkway
  • Tomball, Texas 77375
Kingwood
  • Tuesday, December 17, 2019
  • 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Kingwood Community Center
  • 4102 Rustic Woods Drive
  • Kingwood, Texas 77345
Huffman
  • Thursday, December 19, 2019
  • 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • May Community Center
  • 2100 Wolf Road
  • Huffman, Texas 77336

All three meetings will have the same materials and format. Each open house will include information about the following projects, studies, and efforts in the region:

  • San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan
  • Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis
  • Huffman Area Drainage Analysis
  • Spring Creek Watershed Planning Study
  • Luce Bayou Watershed Planning Study
  • Willow Creek Watershed Planning Study
  • Jackson Bayou Watershed Planning Study
  • Cedar Bayou Tributary Analysis
  • SJRA-led Projects 
  • City of Houston-led Projects
  • Harris County Permit Office
  • Harris County Engineering Department – Recovery and Resiliency Division
  • Hurricane Harvey Repair Efforts
  • Information about services provided by Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County and Montgomery County

The open houses will last from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The free-flowing meetings will have informational displays. Staff will answer questions. The open house format lets attendees arrive and participate at their convenience. No formal presentation will be made

To Provide Input on Master Drainage Plan

You can comment on the plans at the public open houses and throughout the duration of the study.

If you can’t attend in person, mail comments to:

  • Harris County Flood Control District
  • 9900 Northwest Freeway
  • Houston, Texas 77092
  • Attn: San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan

Alternatively, you may submit comments online.

For more information about the San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan, visit www.sanjacstudy.org.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/4/2019

827 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 76 since Imelda

Upstream Development Should Not Affect Kingwood Like It Affected Bellaire, But…

Two new subdivisions, Northpark Woods and Woodridge Village, made me worry about the impact of upstream development on Kingwood and the rest of the Lake Houston area. Could these developments overwhelm the capacity of our drainage ditches? Could they increase our chances of flooding? The consensus among flood professionals: It’s not likely. But they also qualify their answers. Here’s why.

Clear-cut area for new Northpark Woods development in Porter. This 90-acre area will contain hundreds of starter homes in the flood plain of the West Fork (background), ranging from 1200 to 2400SF.

Changes in Detention Requirements Over Time

In the past, upstream development definitely contributed to downstream flooding in places like Bellaire and Meyerland. But that was back before regulations in most cities and counties required detention ponds in new developments. In many cases, no detention was provided for a development because it simply wasn’t part of the requirements of the time.

It’s different now for places like Kingwood because much of the upstream development has required and continues to require detention.

I found that very comforting. However, we also have some challenges ahead to reduce flood risk.

Not All Counties Have Fill Requirements As Stringent as Harris’

As we’ve seen with the Romerica development, Harris County has stringent requirements about filling in floodplains. Not all surrounding counties have those same restrictions. Can we do anything about that?

Kingwood can certainly advocate among all areas upstream that drain to Lake Houston. For instance, take Montgomery County, Waller County, Grimes County, Walker County, San Jacinto County, and Liberty County. Those and associated incorporated areas (e.g., City of Conroe) should not only require detention for new developments, they should adopt drainage criteria and regulations similar to Harris County.  

This would mean that new developments would have to mitigate not only for the increased stormwater runoff, but for any fill they add to the floodplain. 

Problems in Harmonizing Flood Plain Regulations

This is a big ask for many areas that are looking to attract development and growth. The problem: Many places on the fringes of the City see lax regulations (or a reputation for lax enforcement) as a way to attract growth. The implied pitch to developers is, “Your costs will be lower here.”

Complicating matters, many residents of those counties moved away from the City because they like the freedom. You just have fewer people telling you what to do out in the country.

So expect political pushback.

Consider as Part of First Statewide Flood Plan?

Even right here in the Lake Houston area, we have widely varying flood plain regulations.

Fortunately, we have a forum to debate this: the new statewide flood plan authorized by SB8 this year. Harmonizing flood-plain regulations should be part of our first-ever statewide flood plan. The lack of harmony certainly contributed to many of our woes during Harvey – especially when it comes to flood plain developments like Northpark Woods.

Statewide Flood Plan Meetings Coming Up

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is inviting interested Texans to attend one of 13 flood outreach meetings during the first two weeks of August. They will solicit comments on the new state and regional flood planning process and the new flood financing program, both established during the 2019 legislative session under SB8 and SB500.

Texans are beginning the first stages in the development of a first-ever statewide flood plan.

Jeff Walker, Executive Administrator of the TWDB says the group is holding these meetings prior to the required formal rulemaking process to help ensure that the new programs meet the needs of Texas communities.

The flood planning program will result in regional flood plans in 2023 and the first state flood plan in September 2024. Intended to make drainage and flood projects more affordable for Texas communities, the flood financing program will be funded through a $793 million transfer from the Rainy Day Fund and will become available in 2020.

The 13 meetings are widely scattered throughout the state. The closest to the Houston area is in Tomball.

  • Beckendorf Conference Center at Lone Star College–Tomball
  • 30555 Tomball Pkwy. 
  • Tomball, TX 77375
  • 9:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Friday, August 9

Sign up for more information about these meetings and other flood information at the TWDB’s website.

Said Walker, “Your comments will help us craft programs that reflect the diversity and magnitude of the flood needs in Texas. We hope we will see you in August.”

Monitor Master Watershed Study

Additionally, the Kingwood area should closely monitor the San Jacinto River Watershed Master Drainage Plan currently underway.  This study will be the critical document that guides future decisions (and funding) for large flood damage reduction projects upstream of Kingwood. 

That includes more upstream detention like the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Additional detention was one of three critical remediation measures to help improve flood safety in the Lake Houston Area (detention, dredging and gates for Lake Houston – DDG).

Already some areas have been ruled out for additional detention because of new developments going in upstream. The study began last March after Houston, Harris County, Montgomery County and the SJRA obtained FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.

Posted by Bob Rehak on July 23, 2019

693 Days since Hurricane Harvey