Damage control From the cover
The overview
spillway improvement project is continuing and is expected to begin in summer 2028. The spillway improvement project was initially proposed after Hurricane Harvey brought to Harris County more than 47 inches of rain over the course of four days in August 2017, according to previous reporting. Additionally, Huberty said the CWA is partnering with the city of Houston to conduct a study that aims to provide options and cost analysis for future potential repair projects to the dam.
dubbed the Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project—were deemed “vital” after an inspection conducted in the second quarter of this year. “Regular inspections and prompt repairs are vital for maintaining dam stability and longevity, which is why these repairs are being implemented immediately,” Huberty said. While Huberty said CWA o cials are still in the process of preparing a design for the void and concrete repair project, CWA Chief Engineer Greg Olinger said design work on the dam
After the $160 million Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project was delayed until at least summer 2028, Coastal Water Authority o cials are looking to make repairs to the existing dam structure in preparation for the work. The work, which will total roughly $10 million, will consist of lling voids beneath the dam structure, repairing areas where the concrete has degraded and adding additional drainage downstream of the dam. CWA Board Director Dan Huberty said the repairs to the existing structure—which the agency has Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project The project will consist of lling voids in the concrete below and around the dam structure and repairing areas where the concrete has degraded. • Cost: $10 million • Timeline: second quarter of 2025-2027 • Funding source: Federal Emergency Management Agency Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant
Cracked concrete in one of the Lake Houston Dam support beams shows rebar wire beneath the surface.
Cracks formed in the wall will be repaired through the Lake Houston Dam Void and Concrete Repair Project.
Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement project
Existing
Future
The project will add 11 gates to the existing dam structure, increasing the dam’s discharge capacity from 10,000 cubic feet per second currently to 79,000 cfs upon completion. • Cost: $160 million • Timeline: summer 2028-winter 2030 • Funding sources: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Texas Legislature, city of Houston, Harris County
SOURCES: COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT E COMMUNITY IMPACT
A closer look
Lake Houston Dam funding
$50M: 88th Texas Legislature $30M: 87th Texas Legislature $23.4M: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Phase 2 $20M: Harris County $20M: City of Houston $11.7M: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Phase 1 $10M: FEMA Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant $165.1M: Total
come after that project, so we have a long-term roadmap,” Huberty said. Olinger said the preliminary design on the spillway improvement project was completed in August, noting CWA ocials are aiming to complete the nal design for the project by the end of 2026. Olinger noted the spillway improvement project is expected to wrap up around winter 2030. Huberty said the trio of projects is being funded by a variety of federal, state and local sources.
The current dam structure, which was built in 1953, consists of a spillway with four small gates that are made to release water at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second, according to Houston Public Works’ website. Huberty noted the analysis with the city of Houston will not aect the design of the spillway improvement project, which will add 11 gates to the existing dam structure, increasing the dam’s discharge capacity to 79,000 cfs upon completion. “Instead, [the analysis] looks at what would
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