Issue 30
August 2023
Flood Control District hosts site tour in Halls Bayou
Dr. Petersen joined State Representative Armando Walle, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, media and other stakeholders on a site tour to learn more about the Halls Bayou Implementation Plan and the future Isom Stormwater Detention Basin.
Check out the video above for highlights.
Scott Elmer speaks at Underground Construction Technology Association luncheon
Scott Elmer, Chief of Partnerships and Programs, spoke to the Underground Construction Technology Association (UTCA) - Gulf Coast Texas Chapter during a recent luncheon. He highlighted background on the Flood Control District and the feasibility study around large-diameter stormwater conveyance tunnels that is currently underway.
The purpose of the UCTA is to promote education; training; research and development; information concerning traditional, trenchless and rehabilitation technology; and to promote the use of these technologies.
Learn more about tunnels at hcfcd.org/tunnels
Ataul Hannan gives MAAPNext update at Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology Conference
The Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology (THC-IT) recently held its 15th Annual Conference at the University of Houston. Ataul Hannan, Planning Division Director, attended and gave an update on the Modeling Assessment and Awareness Project (MAAPnext) and answered questions.
Funded by FEMA, the MAAPNext project represents a transformative step in the management and regulation of Harris County’s floodplains, further contributing to our county’s resilience. The new methodologies and technologies provided through this program will provide a better understanding of flood risks throughout Harris County.
For more information about this program, visit https://www.maapnext.org.
Flood Control District bids Farewell to Summer Interns
It was all smiles at our summer interns’ Farewell Luncheon. Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director, was pleased to present certificates to our Flood Control District interns as they left to continue their respective studies for the fall semester.
This year’s group included interns from different colleges from across Texas, with each intern pursuing a different career, ranging from Human Resources to Forestry and Engineering. While it was sad to see them go, we wish them the best and a happy graduation.
Jesal Shah speaks at Rotary Club of North Shore Luncheon
Jesal Shah, Chief of Project Delivery, attended the August Rotary Club of North Shore Monthly luncheon, where he gave a general overview presentation of the Flood Control District and an update on projects in the area. At the end of his presentation, he opened the floor for Q&A and was presented with an honorary Rotary Club mug.
Construction Progress
Progress continues along Woodland Hills and Northpark Drive at the former Woodridge property. The excavation and removal (E&R) contractor has excavated a total 143,745 cubic yards from the project site. The Flood Control District plans to utilize the property for stormwater detention to help reduce flooding risks in the Kingwood area.
For more information visit: bit.ly/3OO1MCI
The Work Continues
Excavation continues on the Zube Stormwater Detention Basin in the Little Cypress Creek watershed - including the construction of inlets that will help keep the basin slopes from eroding. The multi-phase, $10.9 million bond project is expected to be completed in Spring 2024.
For more information, visit www.hcfcd.org/F27.
Work in Buffalo Bayou
The work continues along Mason Creek and a tributary of Buffalo Bayou. The repair project, Z100-00-00-X310, represents a combination of construction activities along one channel and a single tributary.
This work will repair channels where erosion and slope failures have occurred within the Flood Control District right-of-way and/or within the channel itself.
Learn more: bit.ly/44HGCNu
Dr. Tina Petersen speaks at West Houston Association Annual Flood Control Forum
The West Houston Association recently held its Annual Flood Control Forum. Dr. Petersen was pleased to be one of the panelists for this year’s event. Dr. Petersen gave an update on current projects in the West Houston area and addressed questions surrounding funding for flood risk reduction efforts.
Society of American Military Engineers discuss leadership philosophy with Scott Elmer
A few members from the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) joined the Flood Control District for a special lunch. Our Chief of Partnerships and Programs, Scott Elmer, met with the group and gave an overview of his career, how leadership has affected him, and talked about his personal leadership philosophy.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) builds leaders and leads collaboration among government and industry to develop multi-disciplined solutions to national security infrastructure challenges.
Flood Control District tours Upper Langham Creek Program
The Flood Control District recently hosted a tour to highlight the Upper Langham Creek Frontier Program and John Paul Landing Park for the West Houston Leadership Institute (WHLI). The tour was led by Jonathan St. Romain, Manager of Capital Projects Department South. The Upper Langham Creek Frontier Program focuses on a roughly 16-square-mile, 10,000-acre portion of the Langham Creek watershed. The program provides an innovative approach to the way drainage infrastructure is planned and constructed in the land development process.
Founded in 2004, the WHLI is an experimental learning program designed to provide participants with a breadth of knowledge concerning healthcare, transportation, education, diversity, government, business and many areas of life in West Houston.
For more information about the Upper Langham Creek Frontier Program, visit hcfcd.org/f-54.
Flood Control District attends Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum
The Harris County Flood Control District recently attended the latest Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBPF). Our own Chief of Finance, Bruce Haupt, gave a brief speech regarding the importance of adequate funding for projects and spoke about the upcoming Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG)
Ralph Tyler
What is your title and Department?
FMT, Production Supervisor
How long have you been with the Flood Control District?
42 years. I started first as a Laborer in 1979 and retired in 2010. I returned in 2012 as a Field Supervisor.
What does your job at the Flood Control District entail?
Most days consist of assigning field supervisors and their crews their job duties for the day, sending out daily reports to upper management, maintaining a herbicide spreadsheet, filling out incident and accident reports/statements and monitoring crew progress and production, etc.
What is your favorite thing about working at the Flood Control District?
The daily interactions with the people that I work with.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
Helping develop a better system for tracking debris removal production through the use of the Collector app.
What has been your favorite project so far?
Learning to use the Collector app system with my colleagues as we go. It is all new to us, and we help teach each other through trial and error.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Be prepared for any and every thing.
What is something about yourself that most people don't know?
I try to be considerate of others. Having started from the ranks of a Laborer, I understand that daily struggles of working in the heat and constantly being exposed to the elements. I’ve always felt that one of the most important characteristics of a leader is to have compassion for others.
What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I love to travel with the family, but I also enjoy coming back to work that first day.
What was your first job?
Punch and Press Operator / Machinist working for Baker Hughes
What do you like most about your job?
Helping my co-workers both in their personal and professional lives.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
I just love my job and the people I work with. We like to tell potential employees that we spend more time around each other than we do with our own families. That said, I feel that our work environment is an extension of ourselves.
Current Projects
