Issue 15
April 2022
Flood Control District Participates in Willow Waterhole Music Festival
From the Executive Director
The Harris County Flood Control District team had a great time engaging with the community during the 9th annual MusicFest at the Willow Waterhole Greenway. The one-day festival took place on April 9, and featured live music, food trucks, community booths and plenty of bluebonnet photo opportunities.
The 279-acre Willow Waterhole basin complex consist of six compartments ranging in size from 10 to 110 acres and is part of the Brays Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project ("Project Brays"). Areas of the stormwater detention basin include the endangered plant species, Hymenoxys texana, and extant coastal prairie habitat.
For more information about "Project Brays", visit HCFCD.org/C11.
Flood Control District leads tour with Environmental Journalists
The Harris County Flood Control District hosted a group of environmental journalists on a tour of Flood Control District sites during the Society of Environmental Journalists 2022 conference in Houston. Deputy Director of Engineering and Construction, Alan Black, led the group to discuss flood risk reduction.
Sites visited included the Keith-Wiess Park Stormwater Detention Basin, located in the Halls Bayou watershed. The Flood Control District seeks out innovative flood risk reduction projects whenever practicable, as shown through our work on the Keith-Wiess Park Stormwater Detention Basin. Crews removed about 1.7 million cubic yards of soil to create additional stormwater detention within the park’s existing footprint. The project also included the construction of a hike and bike trail system and other amenities.
White Oak Bayou repairs underway
Click here to read the monthly message from the Harris County Flood Control District's Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen.
Project Update
Paving and sidewalk improvement work continues along S. Braeswood Boulevard, as part of the Chimney Rock Road bridge construction project over Brays Bayou. The $10.5 million project is expected to be completed by late Spring 2022.
Read more here.
Construction Update
Excavation and construction work continues at the P518-11-00 Stormwater Detention Basin site. The stormwater detention basin is anticipated to hold 180 acre-feet (or nearly 58.7 million gallons) of stormwater that might otherwise flood homes and businesses. The basin is designed to be a wet-bottom configuration with a vegetated shelf.
Read more here.
As the result of the Harris County Flood Control District’s annual inspections of the federal portions of our channel network, construction is currently underway on a major repair project along White Oak Bayou. The section of White Oak Bayou included in this repair effort starts at the confluence of White Oak Bayou and Buffalo Bayou near downtown Houston and continues upstream along White Oak Bayou for 10.6 miles to Cole Creek near Pinemont. There were 189 sites identified for repair at a cost of $1,390,374.00. The repairs range from blockages of debris in the channel, broken or clogged outfall pipes, and damaged concrete channel lining.
The Work Continues
The project site of a future stormwater detention basin near Kingwood Park High School is currently being excavated under an Excavation and Removal agreement. Nearly 31,000 cubic yards of material has been excavated by the contractor from the former Woodridge site so far! The contractor can remove and sell up to 500,000 cubic yards of material during the contract term.
Read more here.
In the News
Alan Black speaks at Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce
.png)
Photo credit: Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce
Harris County Flood Control District Deputy Director Engineering and Construction, Alan Black, joined the Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce for their Business Advocacy Council April meeting to discuss flood control efforts, alongside Mike Turco of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District
Troy Means
Health and Safety Coordinator
A billion dollars in flood work completed, but far from done, says Harris County Flood District
Texas Water approves $46M for water infrastructure
How a Houston flood control project bloomed into a greenspace with trails, fishing pier and dog park
Cypress Creek Flooding Task Force targets partnership funds to protect Cultural District
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
19 years.
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
Through a special internship program.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
Among other things, facilitating programs and procedures to increase safety for all employees.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District?
Being able to work with people in multiple departments and divisions.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week?
Spending time with my granddaughter.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
I was a competitive swimmer in my youth and taught swimming for years.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I am a science fiction geek.
What was your first job?
Physical Education teacher.
What do you like most about your job?
The people. I have great co-workers who are always very supportive.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
Obligations to the job, my coworkers and family motivate me each day.
Current Projects
