ADDICKS AND BARKER RESERVOIRS IN WEST HOUSTON ARE RISING; WATER COULD IMPACT AREA ROADS

Published Aug. 8, 2017

GALVESTON, Texas (August 8, 2017) ­–Heavy rainfall in west and northwest Harris County early this morning has led to significant rises in the Addicks and Barker reservoirs in west Harris County. As water levels rise in the reservoirs, roadways that run through them are at risk of becoming inundated and impassable.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates the reservoirs and dam structures.

Both reservoirs' water levels continue to rise from ongoing drainage from areas located north and west of the structures. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials expect these levels to continue to rise for the next few days, even if the rain stops.

Commuters are encouraged to monitor local media closely for weather and road conditions updates and to be prepared for delays with alternate travel routes to work and school. The need for road closures will be determined by the operator of the roadway; TX Dept. of Transportation, Ft. Bend County, Harris County or the City of Houston

CURRENT CONDITIONS – ROADS

The following roadways are being impacted or are subject to being impacted by rising water within the next few days:

ADDICKS RESERVOIR:
• State Highway 6 from Clay Road to Park Row is subject to being impacted over the next few days.
• Eldridge Parkway from Dairy-Ashford to Clay Road is subject to being impacted over the next few days.

• Clay Road from SH 6 to Brittmore Drive is subject to being impacted over the next few days.
• All internal roads in the reservoir, including but not limited to Groschke Road, Saums Road, Patterson Road, Bear Creek Drive and War Memorial Street, are impassable.

• All recreational facilities are closed.

BARKER RESERVOIR:
Westheimer Parkway is subject to being impacted through the reservoir, from FM 1093 to South Fry Road.

• South Barker-Cypress Road from Westheimer Parkway to FM 1093 is impassable.

• All recreational facilities are closed.

CURRENT CONDITION - DAM STRUCTURES
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is monitoring the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs to ensure continued operations and integrity of the structures, which have protected greater Houston area residents against loss of life and property over the last 70 years
 

ABOUT THE ADDICKS AND BARKER RESERVOIRS AND DAMS
The Addicks and Barker Dams and Reservoirs – owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - are located in southeast Texas in the San Jacinto River basin approximately 17 miles west of downtown Houston. The reservoirs are strategically located above the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and South Mayde Creek. The majority of both Addicks and Barker structures fall within Harris County, however, a small portion of the Barker Reservoir crosses into Fort Bend County. The structures are located near the intersection of Interstate Highway 10 and State Highway 6, with the Addicks Reservoir located north of I-10 and the Barker facility located south of I-10.

Stormwater flows in to Addicks and Barker from South Mayde Creek, Langham Creek, Bear Creek, Horsepen Creek, Buffalo Bayou and Mason Creek; and flows out of the reservoirs into Buffalo Bayou. Both dams are normally operated with the gates open to allow free flow of stormwater through them; however, when a rain event is forecasted, the reservoir gates are closed to reduce flooding below the reservoirs. The gates are opened when the storm has passed and the threat of flooding downstream has passed.

To learn more about the Addicks and Barker Dam Safety Program, visit http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamSafetyProgram.aspx. For more news and information, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.


Release no. 17-025