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The Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvement Project
Project Background
The Harris County Flood Control District entered into a contract with CivilTech Engineering, Inc. in April 2003, for the design of channel conveyance improvements on Vogel Creek between Arncliffe and its confluence with White Oak Bayou.
This project initially entailed the design of a concrete-lined channel within the existing right-of-way. While a concrete-lined channel would require less right-of-way than a grass-lined channel, it could diminish environmental values of the creek without proper environmental mitigation. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was working with the District to investigate what level of habitat mitigation would be required if the project were constructed as a concrete-lined channel within the existing right-of-way.
Home Buyout Brings New Project Opportunities
As a result of Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001, a voluntary home buyout program within Arbor Oaks and Inwood Forest subdivisions was initiated by the District with financial participation from the Federal government. This voluntary program was in effect through December 2003, and resulted in the purchase of 213 homes, with a total cost of over $25.8 million.
Because of the large number of properties along the banks of Vogel Creek that were purchased through the Tropical Storm Allison Voluntary Home Buyout Program, the District was able to consider construction of a grass-lined channel instead of the originally planned concrete-lined channel. The grass-lined channel provides an opportunity to enhance the environmental quality of Vogel Creek through the creation of "pool and riffle" areas in the bottom of Vogel Creek and the planting of native trees. This plan was presented to, and well received by, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state and federal regulatory agencies in preliminary meetings.
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What Are "Pool and Riffle" Areas?
Natural streams form in order to convey stormwater runoff and the sediment (particles of soils and other solids in the stream) produced by erosion. The complex natural processes that shape streams do not produce straight channels with a uniform cross-section and a continuous depth. Streams tend to form meanders in order to maintain an overall gradient that will transport their sediment and water in the most efficient manner. The tendency is for a stream to cut (remove soil) along the outside of a meander bend (the "cut bank") and to deposit sediment on the inside of the bend (the "point bar"). Since the water tends to move faster around the outside of a bend, it will scour a deeper "pool" within its channel at that location. As the channel straightens out between bends, it tends to slow its velocity slightly, getting somewhat shallower and wider. This shallow zone is known as a "riffle" because the water often splashes over rocks or other protrusions at or near the surface.
Channel Thrives, Life Thrives
In a healthy stream with a proper mix of pools and riffles, aquatic life can thrive. Fish common to streams are adapted to spend much of their time in the pools, which have cooler temperatures, higher dissolved oxygen, and greater sources of food. They will tend to spawn on the riffles, as their eggs need warmer water in which to incubate successfully.
The District is designing the new channel of Vogel Creek to encourage the re-formation of natural pool and riffle areas. This is a reflection of the District's commitment to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values.
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Implementing the Project
Once a flooding issue has been identified and the project has been included in the Capital Improvement Program, a project team is selected to take the project from an engineering study through construction. While the steps for each project are very similar, each has an individual set of circumstances.
Common steps for the Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvement Project include:
Devise the Flood Damage Reduction Project
What we've done:
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Vogel Creek Master Drainage Plan, May 2000 |
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Status:
Completed
Evaluate Impacts and Mitigation Needs
What we've done:
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Detention basin constructed south of West Little York at White Oak Bayou (E500-06-00) to mitigate stormwater from improvements being made to Vogel Creek, 1999 |
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Status:
Completed
Consider Community Input
What we've done:
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Letter to residents, May 2007 |
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Email updates to HOA Presidents/Civic Club Presidents, Quarterly |
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Construction postcard, April 2006 |
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Open house for area residents, July 2006 |
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What's next:
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Continue quarterly email updates to HOA Presidents/Civic Club Presidents |
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Continue semi annual meetings with HOA Presidents/Civic Club Presidents |
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Continue semi annual letter to residents, next letter Fourth Quarter 2007 |
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Design The Project
What we've done:
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Submitted 90% plans for the Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvements to the City for review, July 2005 |
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Final design plans approved by the City of Houston, January 2006 |
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HCFCD completes the Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvements Project Manual, January 2006 |
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Status:
Determine The Land To Build It Upon
What we've done:
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All residential properties (including partial properties) have been acquired, December 2005 |
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Agreement "in principle" with the Inwood Forest Gold Club, December 2005 |
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Status:
Secure Permission To Build
What we've done:
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Interlocal Agreement approved by Houston City Council and by Harris County Commissioners Court, January 2006 |
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Obtained all necessary building permits from the City of Houston |
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Status:
Remove Physical Obstructions
What we've done:
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SBC adjustments/relocations are underway, January 2006 |
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TimeWarner Cable authorized to commence utility adjustments/relocations, January 2006 |
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Easements granted to CenterPoint Gas & Electric, January 2006 |
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Utility relocations/abandonments completed for the Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvements |
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Status:
Allocate Funding
What we've done:
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Select A Contractor And Build
What we've done:
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Vogel Creek project approved to advertise for bid, January 2006 |
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Awarded bid to Lecon, Inc., May 2006 |
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Status:
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Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvement Project
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