Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is proud to announce, knowing your zone is already making an impact, as just this past weekend a 9-1-1 caller reported a kayaker in trouble on the Lake and knew they were located in the Orange zone.
The dispatcher on the call was able to get first responders to the kayaker in trouble, wearing a life jacket, pulling them and their boat out of the lake within twenty minutes. The purpose of the Lake Houston Safety Plan is to provide both Lake Houston residents and visiting recreational users with information that will prepare them to better identify their location on the lake and how to best report an incident to 9-1-1.
The District E Office is actively working with communities on the lake to distribute this information. To print your own resources you may visit the District E website here. Should you like to request a presentation for your group (HOA, Civic Club etc.) or receive resources directly please email the District E Office at districte@houstontx.gov
City of Houston Houston Public Works Parks & Recreation Joint Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 05/17/2019
HOUSTON – Houston Public Works will lower Lake Houston by 6 inches on Monday, May 20th to allow contractors to begin a rehabilitation project on the dam. Lake Houston will be lowered another 6 inches on Tuesday, May 28th following Memorial Day weekend, for a total of 1 foot. Work on the dam will continue through the end of the year.
The levels in Lake Houston will naturally return to full and require lowering to 41.5 feet to continue the rehabilitation project. Property owners should be prepared, as advance notice may not be possible.
Separately, if Lake Houston is above 41.5 feet and the National Weather Service predicts greater than 3 inches of rain within a 48-hour period, the lake may be temporarily lowered to 41.5 feet before the storm. It takes 24-hours to lower Lake Houston by 12-inches. Lake Houston has a normal pool elevation of 42.5 feet. To monitor current water levels at Lake Houston, visit: www.coastalwaterauthority.org
Property owners should secure property along the shoreline.
For more information on the Lake Houston dam rehabilitation project, contact Erin Jones.
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS Houston Public Works (www.HoustonPublicWorks.org) is the largest and most diverse public works organization in the country, responsible for creating a strong foundation for Houston to thrive. Houston Public Works is responsible for streets and drainage, production and distribution of water, collection, and treatment of wastewater, and permitting and regulation of public and private construction covering a 627-square mile service area. Houston Public Works is accredited by the American Public Works Association. Facebook & Twitter:@HouPublicWorksContact: Erin Jones | Public Information Officer Office: 832-395-2530 Cell: 713-853-6073 Erin.Jones@houstontx.gov
Alanna Reed | Communications Director Office: 832-395-2455 Cell: 713-899-0165 Alanna.Reed@houstontx.gov
Lake Houston Mouth Bar Update Houston, TX – Council Member Dave Martin would like to make Kingwood and Lake Houston area residents aware the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to remove sand and siltation from the Lake Houston mouth bar. In October 2018, the USACE began removing debris from the San Jacinto River that was deposited during Hurricane Harvey. This project was designated as a FEMA Mission Assignment (DR 4332) and directed the USACE to restore the river to pre-Harvey conditions. DR 4332 has removed debris from three out of four identified sections of the San Jacinto River, and this project is due to be completed in May. The mouth bar, which was identified as the fourth section, was not included in the scope of work for DR 4332. Last month, the application for the additional dredge material disposal site, as well as mouth bar removal, were submitted by the City of Houston, for review by the USACE and FEMA. The State of Texas, the City of Houston, as well as multiple stakeholders from the Lake Houston area, requested expedited consideration for FEMA to authorize a Mission Assignment for the debris removal and dredging of the mouth bar while the equipment is still in the river.
At a meeting last week in Austin, FEMA issued a directive of Mission Assignment to the USACE for dredging of the mouth bar at the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. FEMA has been working with TDEM, the City of Houston, and USACE to determine the amount of silt deposited at the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston attributable to Hurricane Harvey. The calculation is expected to be finalized next week, and dredging is expected to begin within thirty (30) days. A huge thank you to our federal partners Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Field Representative for Congressman Crenshaw, Kaaren Cambio, Congressman Kevin Brady, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator John Cornyn for their support as they have all been meeting regularly with FEMA and discussing this project. Additional thanks to our local partners, Jenna Armstrong and Mark Mitchell from the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce for coordinating another successful letter writing campaign. This is a huge project for our area and it would not be possible without the on-going support and push from Governor Greg Abbott and Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), as well as Mayor Sylvester Turner and Stephen Costello, Chief Recovery Officer – City of Houston. With questions, please contact the District E office by emailing districte@houstontx.gov or calling (832) 393-3008.
