Houston city leaders address near-flood disaster, dam improvements

Just days after hundreds of homes nearly flooded (again), Houston city leaders spoke out about the problem and called for dam improvements. The Houston City Council approved an ordinance to streamline funds for Lake Houston Dam spillway improvements. We hope this will help prevent future flooding in the Houston area.

District E Council Member Fred Flickinger spoke about last week’s near-flood in the Kingwood area.

“The flooding we had on the San Jacinto River above the dam, the dam was built in 1953, we desperately need that money to improve the dam. At the time, I think we had about 600,000 people. This water today serves approximately two million homes and businesses.

Flickinger said it doesn’t just impact people living in north Houston.

“I think a lot of people think this is a Kingwood problem. This is really not the case. This is the city water. This is a big deal for all of us.

“We almost saw many homes flooded last week. The river peaked two feet below what was predicted, which was quite surprising. With the water levels of the river as they fall. They did pretty well,” he said. “I think the biggest difference between the two feet was the large amount of dredging done since Harvey.”

He credited former council member Dave Martin and U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, in part, for securing the money needed to finance dredging and other improvements after Hurricane Harvey.

“I just want to make sure everyone realizes how important this is. Not just for the people of Kingwood but for the entire city, because again, it’s our drinking water.

“When Lake Houston Dam was built, Kingwood didn’t exist. So it’s time to step this up and upgrade it, not only for Kingwood but for Houston and Harris County,” said Twila Carter, Council Member-at-Large, Position 3.

Ordinance Creates Account to Streamline Payment Process for Dam Improvements

Council members adopted agenda item 41, an ordinance for “the creation of a separate ‘Texas Water Development Board Grant 21819 – Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvements'”

This requires the creation of a “Separate account to receive and disperse funds received from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) under a grant awarded to the City of Houston.

The official agenda item states:

RECOMMENDATION: The Houston Public Works Director recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the creation of a new fund “TWDB GRANT 21819 – LAKE HOUSTON DAM SPILLWAY IMPROVEMENT” (Fund 4053); and authorizes the signing of a separate trust account agreement between the City and TWDB.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) acts as administrator of funds appropriated by the 88th Texas Legislature for structural improvements to the Lake Houston Dam spillway.

The conditions of the award require the City to place the proceeds of the awarded grant in separate trust accounts that will be maintained separately from the City’s general funds. The creation of separate accounts by local governments is authorized under Chapter 101.004 of the Texas Local Government Code. This practice is consistent with prior fiduciary agreements between the City and TWDB for the administration of loan proceeds and reduces costs to the City by eliminating the need to hire a third-party escrow party.

During today’s meeting, Councilmember Carter also thanked the Houston Fire Department for all the work they have done this past week.

“In an emergency situation like the one we just saw, they mobilize, they show up and they never stop. So thank you,” she said.

Many other areas in the Conroe, Cleveland and Porter areas were flooded last week. Cleaning is underway there.