Issue 26
April 2023
Flood Control District attends Alief Listening Session
Harris County Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen was a speaker at Precinct 4’s first stop in their Listening Tour. The purpose of this series is to allow for community feedback regarding current and potential infrastructure and flood mitigation projects that will aid the surrounding communities in Precinct 4.
For more information about Flood Control District-owned projects within Precinct 4, visit hcfcd.org.
Flood Control District attends Annual Texas Water Conference
Harris County Flood Control District’s Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen spoke at the annual Texas Water Conference’s Women of Water Forum with other female leaders from across the industry. Dr. Petersen shared challenges, balancing work life, and the difference women can make in our water community. This event focused on the career paths, professional wisdom, and achievements of leading women in the water community who are willing to share their experiences to empower others.
The Harris County Flood Control District’s Interim Deputy Director of Engineering and Construction (now Chief Partnership & Programs Officer) Scott Elmer also attended the Texas Water 2023 annual conference. Mr. Elmer gave a presentation on how large diameter underground stormwater tunnels work and answered questions from attendees.
For additional information about this project and more, please visit www.hcfcd.org.
The Work Continues
Construction for the Mud Gully (Beamer Ditch) Channel Conveyance Improvements project has resumed! The project is being constructed and funded as part of the Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management Project. Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2024.
For more information visit: hcfcd.org/Mud-Gully
Building a Conapy
A lot of trees were recently planted along a segment of Armand Bayou between Sam Houston Tollway East and Spencer Highway, marking the completion of the Conveyance Improvements on Armand Bayou project, Project ID B100-00-00-E002 in precinct 2.
As a natural stable channel design feature, these trees will help to stabilize the site, reduce soil erosion, shade the channel and improve water quality. As the trees grow, they will help to reduce stormwater runoff through “canopy interception” of rainfall. In other words, the leaves will catch a lot rainwater to help reduce stormwater runoff.
The Ribbon has been cut on the San Jacinto Bayou Greenway Project
In mid-April, the Flood Control District participated in the San Jacinto Bayou Greenway Ribbon Cutting event. This project was a partnership between the Houston Parks Board and the Harris County Flood Control District and involved purchasing land in the surrounding area that has historically been prone to flooding in order to convert it to green space. This project is part of the larger citywide Bayou Greenways initiative, which aims to create a continuous linear park system along Houston's major waterways, working to transform more than 3,000 underutilized acres along the bayous into accessible green space and connect 150 miles of hike-and-bike trails. The Flood Control District was able to partner with the Houston Parks Board to better facilitate the completion of this part of the initiative. Construction on the project took more than two years beginning in January 2021 and wrapping up in March 2023.
For more information about projects like this, please visit HCFCD.org.
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Dr. Tina Petersen speaks at Precinct 4's "Building 4 the Future" listening event
The Harris County Flood Control District's Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen attended the "Building 4 The Future" luncheon hosted by Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineering. The luncheon focused on sharing knowledge about the future of infrastructure and flood mitigation in Precinct 4. Dr. Petersen gave a presentation about the current status of some of the projects in Precinct 4 and on the Flood Control District's role and mission in the area moving forward.
For more information about current ongoing projects, please visit hcfcd.org.
Flood Control District helps break new ground on Inwood Project
The Harris County Flood Control District recently commemorated an important milestone within the White Oak Bayou watershed. The construction of the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project will help to reduce the risk of flooding by providing critical stormwater storage that is needed in this area. This project is an excellent example of public private partnership, reflecting the carefully coordinated effort among the Flood Control District, the City of Houston, Harris County Precinct One, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Houston Parks Board.
To learn more about this project, visit hcfcd.org/c59.
Flood Control District attends North Houston Association's Water Conference
Harris County Flood Control District’s Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen was the keynote speaker at the North Houston Association Water Committee’s monthly meeting. Dr. Petersen gave an update on current flood control projects in North Harris County and answered questions from citizens who reside in the surrounding area.
The North Houston Association’s Water Committee meets frequently throughout the year in order to educate its members about water-related opportunities and regulations important to businesses and communities in the north Houston region, through which they aim to foster continued communications about water related topics and influence water issues by advocating for measures that result in the protection and improvement of the surrounding area.
For more information about the current projects in this area, please visit hcfcd.org.
Kory Nickell
Turfgrass Establishment Coordinator
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
I have been with the Flood Control District for almost 3 months.
How did you get your start at the Flood Control District?
My graduate school project was to improve revegetation of sites cleared of salt cedar using inland saltgrass. I then worked with Kansas State University extension to facilitate water quality improvement through properly functioning watersheds. I’ve been keeping my eye open for a position similar to this for a long time. When LinkedIn sent me a notification, I applied and was eventually hired.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
I coordinate with contractors to establish and maintain grass along channels or basins throughout Harris County.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
Controlling undesirable species in mitigation bank areas. The mitigation banks and wetlands have incredible diversity. It’s neat to have access to these sites! I’ve never worked with these ecosystems, so it’s completely new to me.
What has been your favorite project so far?
I feel most comfortable working on the native seed mix study that was contracted out to Texas A&M University Kingsville. I truly believe we can be successful at using a diverse species mix to enhance areas around Harris County. The fact the project was set in motion a few years ago, tells me the Flood Control District is willing to try new things to improve our current practices.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
To remain humble: Learning is something that is a constant in life. There will always be more to learn and we should remain cognizant of that.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week?
My son told me I could be his best friend....after I bought him a chocolate dessert, of course.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
I was involved in a car accident in 2006 where I obtained Traumatic Brain Injury. I was working on the construction of a golf course, and they had to let me go for liability reasons. That’s what propelled me to go back to school to obtain my M.S. degree.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
My wife of 10 years is Honduran, so I’ve been to Central America a dozen or so times. I still don’t know Spanish...
What was your first job?
I worked in the meat department of my aunt and uncle’s grocery store. I’ve also worked at a few golf courses, garden centers, and plant nurseries.
What do you like most about your job?
The feeling that the work we are doing is making a difference for the better, and the challenges we face.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
The Flood Control District has a long history. Many of the best and brightest minds participate in the Flood Control District’s activities and improvement. I’ve found myself in a well-run program with sound practices and procedures. My work focus is to leave my position, for whomever follows me, in as good or better shape than I’ve found it.
Current Projects
