GALVESTON, Texas -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, in coordination with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), will start releases from Addicks reservoir tomorrow to take flow measurements through the new outlet structures and will continue through April 6.
A new outlet structure at Addicks Dam was put into operation on February 14, 2020. These field measurements will be used to validate and calibrate the outflows from the dam’s new outlet structures when the pools inside the reservoirs are at various elevations. The tests ensure the dams are in compliance with USACE policy for the operation of the dams.
Once we’ve completed the measurements testing, we expect the reservoir to continue draining for an additional 7-10 days. Barker Reservoir will be closed once releases resume from Addicks Reservoir. USACE Dam and Levee Safety staff will be monitoring the reservoirs during this time to ensure there is no risk to the reservoirs. Flows downstream of the reservoirs may be slightly reduced because only one reservoir will be releasing; however, the Buffalo Bayou Watershed will not be impacted.
USACE Water Management will monitor the weather continuously and a contingency plan is in place in the event the Greater Houston Metro Area receives excess rainfall during the testing period. Additionally, should sufficient rainfall occur during the testing period, the time needed for the reservoir closures may be shortened.
After completing the tests reservoirs will resume normal operations.
The Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs are federally funded and operated projects located adjacent to each other on the upper watershed of Buffalo Bayou. The dams were constructed in the 1940s in response to damaging floods on Buffalo Bayou that struck Houston in 1929 and 1935. They are designed to collect rainfall and release that rainfall down Buffalo Bayou at a controlled rate that reduces risk of flooding in downtown Houston and the urban areas west of downtown.
Release no. 22-012