Texas Water Development Flood Protection Planning Grant

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1 Texas Water Development Flood Protection Planning Grant In October 2016, the Texas Water Development Board awarded the San Jacinto River Authority a grant of $460,000 in conjunction with the City of Conroe and Montgomery County for a Flood Protection Planning Project for the West Fork San Jacinto River Watershed. The first phase of the project will update floodplain information on specific streams within Montgomery County, improve the existing hydrologic monitoring network in the County in order to enhance flood early warning capabilities for the region, and investigate structural and nonstructural flood damage reduction projects for selected tributaries in the City of Conroe. A second phase of the program is planned for the future to expand the geographic coverage of the program to include other streams within the County (see map below). Communities along this highly urbanized and rapidly growing 1-45 corridor continue to experience flood-related damages with increasing frequency. In 1994, the basin experienced a devastating storm event that resulted in extensive flood damages. In the recent Memorial Day 2015 and 2016 storms, significant rainfall across the basin resulted in additional severe flood damages. A major activity under this grant is a Flood Protection Planning Study which will update and enhance the understanding of flood frequencies and resulting damages within the study area, especially as impacted by the operation of the Lake Conroe reservoir. The second activity is enhancement of an existing Flood Early Warning System to improve and expand the existing hydrologic monitoring network and facilitate flood warning and response activities of the emergency response agencies in this area. 1

2 Replacement of Siphon No. 37 at Baker Road The Highlands Raw Water System (the System ) was originally constructed in 1943 and includes a pump station on Lake Houston, over 25 miles of canals, and a 3,800-acre-foot reservoir. The System is contracted to deliver approximately 75 million gallons per day of raw water to various municipal, industrial, and irrigation customers. The aging infrastructure and growing demands for raw water requires ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation efforts to ensure reliability throughout the System. SJRA routinely provides for required improvements through the annual update and development of a Capital Improvement Plan. Siphon No. 37, one of the largest siphons on the System, was included in the Plan for replacement starting in FY This siphon is located under Baker Road upstream from one of SJRA s largest industrial customers. SJRA identified this siphon as a high priority for replacement due to the potential future requirement to convey additional flow and the aged condition of the main siphon pipes and supporting structures. Hydraulic analyses indicated that the original two 42-inch pipes and one newer 60-inch bypass pipe were not adequate to handle the anticipated future demands while also providing adequate freeboard in the canal. In an effort to improve the long-term reliable delivery of raw water to the downstream customers, the siphon pipes were replaced using two 72-inch pipes which are capable of providing a future design flow of over 100 million gallons per day. Construction cost exceeded $4 million and included the abandonment and replacement of the existing siphons and bypass pipe, headwalls, and related appurtenances crossing under Baker Road. Due to heavy traffic using Baker Road, the siphon replacement required use of tunnel construction methods for the placement of the new dual siphon pipes. The project was substantially completed in November, Below: Aerial view of Siphon No. 37 at Baker Road on November 20, 2016 Above: Aerial view of Siphon No. 37 at Baker Road before improvements 2

3 Highlands Reservoir Opens to the Public The SJRA successfully opened the Highlands Reservoir to the public for hiking, fishing, and use of non-motorized watercraft. Hikers can enjoy approximately four (4) miles of well-mowed trail around the perimeter of the reservoir with a large variety of shoreline birds and waterfowl often present for seasonal viewing, including great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, and other interesting wildlife. Anglers will find a variety of game fish available in the reservoir, including Florida hybrid bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Above: TPWD released bluegill into the Highlands Reservoir Texas Park and Wildlife (TPWD) recently conducted comprehensive aquatic surveys for the Highlands Reservoir and, based on their survey results, made releases of approximately 136,478 Florida largemouth bass and 109,429 bluegill (see photo above). They plan to further stock more fish throughout the year. Above: The Highlands Reservoir Opens to the Public Grab your binoculars or favorite fishing rod and join the public at the Highlands Reservoir for a great day of hiking, fishing, and outdoor fun. Please refer to the Highlands Division website ( to view the parking and reservoir entrance areas and the rules and regulations for enjoying this great outdoor resource. 3

4 Stormwater Inlet Marking (SwIM) Program Kicks into High Gear As a part of the SJRA s Lake Conroe Watershed Protection Plan, the Stormwater Inlet Marking (SwIM) program was adopted as an important element to improve and protect water quality in the future. Under this program, volunteers will install permanent brightly-colored medallions above stormwater inlets in neighborhoods that are within the Lake Conroe watershed. These medallions help to educate local communities on the function of stormwater inlets and the importance of protecting the water quality of Lake Conroe. One of the largest neighborhoods on Lake Conroe is the Bentwater subdivision, with an estimated 645 stormwater inlets which drain to Lake Conroe. Montgomery County Municipal Utility District 18 owns and operates all storm drains for Bentwater and has agreed to assume all installation responsibilities for the SwIM program in this neighborhood, starting this spring. Above: Staff member places SwIM medallions on a stormwater drain in the Waterford Estates subdivision 4

5 Raw Water Enterprise Next Quarter Calendar December st Texas State Forest Meeting at College Station 8 th San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors Meeting 13 th Leadership SJRA with the Woodlands Division 14 th Quarterly Operations Meeting with Exxon Mobil 16 th Harris County Flood Control District Meeting re: Easements January 2017 February th Texas Water Development Board Flood Warning Discussion 11 th -12 Th Texas Water Conservation Association/Texas Rural Water Association Water Law Seminar 18 th Galveston Bay Council Meeting 19 th Quarterly Operations Meeting with Chevron Phillips 19 th CRP Basin Steering Committee Meeting 24 th Leadership SJRA with the Highlands Division and Technical Services Department 24 th Storm Drainage Task Force Meeting at the Woodlands Township 26 th San Jacinto River Authority Board of Director Meeting 26 th West Fork Watershed Protection Plan Meeting 30 th Quarterly Meeting between United States Geological Survey and San Jacinto River Authority 21 st Leadership SJRA with the GRP Division and SCADA Department 22 nd Walker County workshop for West Fork San Jacinto Watershed Greenprint 23 rd San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors Meeting Employee Service Recognition Five Years of Service Wendy Delahoussaye: Lake Conroe Division Rhonda Mona: Lake Conroe Division 5

6 Raw Water Usage Data Lake Level Data Current Quarter Current Quarter **Lake Level Data: USGS Gauge at Dam, Rainfall & Temperature: SJRA Gauge at Dam, Evaporation & Discharge: Internal Calculation 6

7 Lake Conroe and Highlands Division Safety Tailgates Highland Division Tailgates Slips, Trips and Falls Lynzey Jett Oxy-Acetylene Cutting Safety Bryan Kilgore Ladder Safety Daryl Davis Proper Body Mechanics - Charlie McNair Herbicide Safety Jarred Thomas Trailer Safety Kenneth Forest Chainsaw Safety Kim Wright Lake Houston Pump Station Safety Walter Mosley HR/Safety Coordinated Training Activities Fire Safety Training Lake Conroe Division Tailgates Fueling and Transportation Brian Foster First Aid Training - Shane Simpson Safety Harness and Gear Brian Foster and Michael Biehle Safety Driving and Campus Speeds Brian Foster Fire Extinguishers Brian Foster Trailers and Attaching to Vehicles David Sidney Heat Stress Brian Foster Grinders Brian Foster Eye Protection Brian Foster Life Preserver and Throw Rings Jordan Austin Below: Highlands Division staff and the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department wrap up fire extinguisher training Above: Daryl Davis, Heavy Equipment Operator in the Highlands Division participated in fire extinguisher training 7

8 Raw Water Enterprise First Quarter Financials 8

9 Highlands Division First Quarter Financials 9

10 Lake Conroe Division First Quarter Financials 10