Issue 24
February 2023
Scott Elmer gives presentation on Large-Diameter Tunnels Stormwater Conveyance Study at Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon
The Harris County Flood Control District’s Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen and Interim Deputy Director of Engineering and Construction Scott Elmer attended February's Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon. Mr. Elmer gave a presentation about ongoing efforts to research the potential use of large-diameter, underground stormwater tunnels to aid in flood mitigation.
Following Hurricane Harvey, county leaders challenged the Harris County Flood Control District to consider all innovative technology for reducing the risk of flooding. Voters in 2018 approved a Bond Program that includes $20 million for Feasibility Study of Stormwater Conveyance Tunnels. The project to date has been multi-phased and remains ongoing. To learn more about this project and its path forward, visit hcfcd.org/tunnels.
Dr. Tina Petersen speaks at American Society of Civil Engineers Keynote Luncheon
Harris County Flood Control District’s Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen was the keynote speaker at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Houston Branch meeting for the month of February. Peterson gave a presentation on projects completed over the last several years, benefits of large-diameter stormwater tunnels, and answered questions from meeting attendees.
The ASCE is a non-profit organization which supports and encourages technical and professional growth and development within the Civil Engineering Field.
Harris County Flood Control District Human Resources Division Attends University of Houston Career Fair
Earlier in February, Flood Control District Human Resources Division Director Kathy Roach attended the University of Houston (UH) Cullen College of Engineering Career Fair alongside other big engineering industry names, such as Tesla, the State Department, SLB engineering and more. Kathy and other Flood Control District staff helped to spread the word about the benefits of working to help mitigate flooding in Harris County. Harris County Flood Control District’s engineers help to execute and implement major projects that reduce flooding risks and damages by increasing stormwater conveyance capacity in bayous and drainage channels, and/or by excavating stormwater detention basins (Stormwater detention basins reduce flooding risks and damages during heavy rain events by safely storing excess stormwater and slowly releasing it back to the bayou when the threat of flooding has passed.)
One important thing to note is that the Flood Control District isn’t just looking for engineers: there are plenty of other critical positions that help aide the people of Harris County year-round! Aside from civil engineers, the Flood Control District also employs scientists, technicians, laborers, inspectors, supervisors, administrative and other support staff.
For more information about the Flood Control District’s current job openings, please visit hcfcd.org/jobs.
The Work Continues
Progress continues on Phase II of the Lauder Stormwater Detention Basin project in Greens Bayou. The second phase will combine with the first constructed basin completed in late 2021 to add 1,200 acre-feet, or 391 million gallons, of excess stormwater storage that might otherwise flood homes and businesses. Phase II will be a dry-bottom stormwater detention basin constructed in two compartments.
For more information, please visit www.hcfcd.org/C34.
Construction Update
Construction on the approximately 420 acre-feet stormwater detention basin in the Sims Bayou watershed continues near the intersection of South Shaver Street & Galveston Road. When completed, the new basin will hold an estimated 136,857,420 gallons of stormwater. Recreational trails that will connect existing trails to Wilson Memorial Park will also be added once construction of the basin is complete.
For more information, visit www.hcfcd.org/C-10
Upcoming Events
(CI-62) Friendswood Regional Stormwater Detention Basin Community Engagement Meeting
Tuesday, March 28
Pillot Gully Tour with BPA and EWRI
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
C-59 Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project City of Houston’s Groundbreaking Event
Friday, March 31, 2023
Click here to read the most recent tips to stay safe!
Thomas Liebert
Project Manager
What is your title and Department? Project Manager for the Capital Projects South Department
How long have you been with the Flood Control District? Since May 2019, so about 3 Years, 9 Months.
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District? With a background of many years of engineering experience and project management with other government and corporate entities, I applied and was accepted.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail? As a Project Manager, my work involves the selection and contracting of consulting engineers for the design of the Flood Control Capital District’s projects as the projects move from the planning stage through the project lifecycle to construction.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District? I am very fortunate to be working with a staff of highly qualified and diverse coworkers in this very important community addressing flood damage reduction projects for Harris County.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? The Arbor Oaks Stormwater Detention Basin Project in the White Oak Bayou watershed.
What has been your favorite project so far? The Morningside Place Drainage Project in the Clear Creek watershed.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far? The fundamental part of Project Management is the project communication of status and issues to management above, which includes reports and schedules, and financial arrangements, and then the communication below to support technical sections and contract engineers. A variety of communications is required to manage projects and is the focal point of Project Management in my opinion.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week? Staying in touch with my family and friends.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know? For Shell Oil, I was asked to help during a strike in Louisiana at the refinery at Norco. I was truly out of my comfort range. The plant later exploded and destroyed most of the refinery.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know? I secured a patent for a high-pressure chemical injection system that was used for environmental soil and groundwater treatment (ISCO).
What was your first job? My first job upon graduation from college was as an engineer for Shell Oil in the Chicago North district, building and maintaining Shell facilities in the Marketing Division.
What do you like most about your job? I like working with everyone within the organization and other technical and community representatives associated with the projects.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work? A fresh cup of Java!
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Current Projects
