With a period of dry weather forecast for the Houston region, stormwater will be released from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs at a controlled rate into Buffalo Bayou over the next few weeks in order to lower water levels behind those two dams in west Harris County. Releases are expected to be up to 50 percent higher than normal release rates, which will cause the bayou to flow several feet higher than normal from State Highway 6 through downtown Houston.  Harris County Flood Control District officials said that these release levels will be significantly lower than the flood levels experienced after heavy rainfall May 25-26.

Areas in west and northwest Harris County that are upstream of the two reservoirs received 5 to 8 inches of rain this past week. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, which operates the dams at both of the reservoirs, closed the gates before the storms rolled in last Monday in order to hold water that began quickly draining into the reservoirs.

Public areas that will be impacted by increased releases include the low-lying areas in Harris County Precinct 3’s Terry Hershey Park, which is located along Buffalo Bayou from State Highway 6 to the West Sam Houston Tollway, and Buffalo Bayou Park on Buffalo Bayou between Shepherd and Sabine streets just east of downtown. Property owners along the bayou will also notice the higher levels.

Park users and residents who live along the bayou are urged to use caution when venturing into those parks and all areas along the bayou’s banks, as there will be higher than usual bayou levels for the next few weeks:

• From State Highway 6 to Piney Point Road the bayou will be 4 to 5 feet above normal release levels and some low-lying trails in Terry Hershey Park will have water on them.
• From Piney Point Road to Loop 610, the bayou will be 3 to 4 feet above normal release levels.
• From Loop 610 to downtown, the bayou will be 2 to 3 feet above normal release levels and there could be water in low-lying sections of Buffalo Bayou Park.

The Corps will closely monitor releases from the two dams, and the weather forecast, and make adjustments as needed, including closing the gates if the forecast calls for rain. Updates will be announced as conditions warrant.

Constructed in the 1940s, both reservoirs are normally kept dry to preserve their overall capacity to impound storm water and reduce flood levels in Buffalo Bayou. When a rain event occurs, the gates are closed on the Addicks and Barker dams to reduce flooding below the reservoirs. When the downstream runoff has receded to non-damaging stages, reservoir operations resume, the gates are opened, and water is released.

The process of determining the possibility for a release and the amount of a release is a continual process. If the forecast calls for rain, there are no releases. If the forecast is clear skies and the prediction for rain is zero, the Corps begins releasing stormwater. Anything in between increases the difficulty in making that decision.

The Corps also closely monitors water levels within the reservoirs, and provides updates to city, county, transportation and emergency management partners as the impoundment of rainwater in the reservoirs could result in floodwater impacting traffic on state and county roads located within and near those areas. This week, officials have been keeping a close eye on Addicks water levels in case they rose to the level at which State Highway 6 between Clay Road and Interstate 10 could be impacted. That is still a possibility as additional stormwater drains into the Addicks Reservoir.  The Corps remains in contact with its partners and the public will be notified if temporary road closures will be needed.

To learn more about the Addicks and Barker Dam Safety Program, visit www.addicksandbarker.info. For more news and information about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.

As for remainder of the county, bayous and creeks are effectively carrying stormwater to Galveston Bay. Still, the Flood Control District’s Flood Watch team continues to watch bayou levels, particularly in far northwest Harris County were rural sections of Upper Cypress Creek and Little Cypress Creek remain out of banks. The San Jacinto River is still high along its West Fork in north Humble and south of Lake Houston near Sheldon and Highlands. Residents in those areas should remain vigilant and avoid driving or walking into high water.

Before getting out on the roadways, check the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool website – www.harriscountyfemt.org – in advance for ponding areas, which are sections of roadways and undeveloped land that typically hold stormwater during and after heavy rainfall. Type in an address in the “ADDRESS SEARCH” box in the left column, and, after the location appears on the map click on the “Ponding” option in the left column. Frequent ponding areas will appear on the map. You can then plan an alternate route, or at least avoid those areas, when you get out on the road.

With heavy rainfall comes the threat of flooding, so it is important for Harris County residents to be aware of conditions near their workplaces, schools and homes. The Flood Control District urges all residents to monitor rainfall and bayou water levels on its Harris County Regional Flood Warning System website (desktop and mobile versions) at www.harriscountyfws.org.

The Flood Control District has a “Storm Center” at www.hcfcd.org/storm-center with helpful, printable resources, including a guide on how to create and implement a FAMILY FLOOD PREPAREDNESS PLAN and a FAMILY EMERGENCY KIT checklist. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has disaster preparedness resources and the latest information about conditions in Harris County at www.readyharris.org. Additional flood preparedness tips:

• Secure valuables and important documents.
• Avoid driving, if possible. If you must venture out, avoid driving into water of unknown depth. Moving water can quickly sweep you and your vehicle away.
• Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
• Remain in your home during the storm unless instructed to evacuate by local officials.
• Have a flood insurance policy. For information on flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.
• Know your home’s risk of flooding. You can view a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Map Service Center (www.msc.fema.gov), or refer to the Flood Control District website at www.hcfcd.org.

About the Harris County Flood Control District

The Harris County Flood Control District provides flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans and maintaining the infrastructure.

“Monumental Moments” to be installed in 160-acre park

Houston artist Anthony Thompson Shumate will soon install“Monumental Moments,” a series of six human-scale word sculptures in Buffalo Bayou Park. The public art project was commissioned by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, through Houston Arts Alliance, and is part of the $58 million park project between Shepherd Drive and Sabine Street scheduled to be complete in June 2015.

The single word thoughts – Explore, Pause, Reflect, Listen, Emerge, and Observe – will be placed at ground level in unexpected areas along the new bayou-side asphalt footpaths. The four-foot-tall sculptures feature turn-of-the century capital serif type and are crafted from 4” high density polyethylene (high-grade plastic), a material used in marine dock bumpers.

According to Shumate, “Each word site is specific and engages its surroundings and its contextual movements where viewers will first see the works. They will be installed in various locations throughout the park to give maximum impact for the community and its viewership experience.”

“Anthony’s concept embraced the entire park. His thoughtful pieces are intended to be discovered by park users as they explore everything Buffalo Bayou Park has to offer,” said Anne Olson, president, Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

“Houston Arts Alliance is honored to be a part of this major effort to revitalize Buffalo Bayou Park and to provide Houstonians with extraordinary works of public art,” says HAA President + CEO Jonathon Glus. “Anthony’s work is being added to the city’s collection of artwork along Buffalo Bayou, which includes such global artists as Jaume Plensa (Tolerance) and Henry Moore (Large Spindle Piece), as well as important Houston artists such as Jesus Bautista Moroles (Houston Police Officer Memorial),” adds Glus.

Installation of “Monumental Moments,” will occur over a two-day period in late May/early June 2015.

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About Shumate

Shumate is well-regarded for his civic art projects in Houston as well as exhibitions at Barbara Davis Gallery.  In 2013, he was one of four artists to create the nation’s first art parking meter sculptures.  Three of Shumate’s “Wind Blown Meters” were installed in Houston’s Warehouse District. He was commissioned by the Greater East End Management District in 2012 to develop creative bus shelters, bike racks and trash receptacles along the Light Rail Line and also developed a temporary art golf hole for the Insperity Golf Experience at Discovery Green in 2011. No stranger to Buffalo Bayou, Shumate created a temporary exhibit at Buffalo Bayou Art Park that featured 450 food cans, hand-engraved can openers and plywood that the public slowly disassembled over five weeks in 2007.

About Houston Arts Alliance

Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a public-private initiative that invests in Houston’s arts and cultural sector, advances Houston’s reputation as an arts and culture destination, and works to elevate the quality of life for all Houstonians through arts and culture. As the city’s designated, nonprofit, local arts agency, HAA provides programs and services for the arts and cultural sector and awards approximately 225 grants annually to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and individual artists. The Alliance is the custodian of the city’s art collection; takes permanent and temporary art to Houston’s public spaces; presents free Folklife + Traditional Arts programming; nurtures up-and-coming arts organizations through its capacity building programs; bridges business with the arts; convenes the field as necessary, and provides the latest information and research on cultural policy, economic development and Houston’s folklife. For more information, visit houstonartsalliance.com. For events in the region, visit Artshound.com.

Wortham Insurance Visitor Center

Earlier this month, crews began installing steel frames around what will be the new Wortham Insurance Visitor Center, located in The Water Works area of the park (near the Sabine Street Bridge).

The two-story, 2,736-square foot Wortham Insurance Visitor Center will include an information desk, restrooms and a bike rental facility. Additionally, the structure will be topped by the Wortham Insurance Terrace that will offer some of the best views of the park’s expansive lawns as well the Houston skyline.

To highlight the company’s centennial year, Wortham Insurance – with support from leading insurance carriers — made a $750,000 donation to Buffalo Bayou Partnership to fund this primary visitor gateway to Buffalo Bayou Park. Wortham is the largest independent insurance broker headquartered in Texas, and Wortham Chairman and BBP board member Richard M. Blades said the gift represents Wortham’s “thank you” for the opportunity to serve the Houston community for the past 100 years.

The Wortham Insurance Visitor Center is scheduled to open in summer 2015.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Buffalo Bayou Park’s grand opening has been postponed until fall 2015. Please check back for a specific date!

It’s spring and we are gearing up for the debut of Buffalo Bayou Park! Whether you walk, jog or bike the park or drive down Allen Parkway or Memorial Drive, you’ll see native trees, wildflowers and prairies being planted throughout the park. The walls are up on major destinations – Wortham Insurance Visitor Center and Lost Lake/The Dunlavy – and the Nature Play Area is taking shape.

Mark your calendar for Buffalo Bayou Park’s grand opening. The daylong celebration will feature performances showcasing Houston’s diverse arts community; recreational opportunities including bike and boat rentals; children’s activities; and walking tours and talks with the park’s designers. The celebration will culminate in a spectacular illuminated procession designed in partnership with New York-based Processional Arts Workshop (PAW).

You are invited to work with the visiting artists of PAW to help develop the theme, create visuals, and participate in the site-specific procession at the Buffalo Bayou Park grand opening event. In February, BBP hosted three community meetings and gathered terrific memories, reflections, personal stories, and photos of Buffalo Bayou. Join the continuing conversation on Facebook and share with us why Buffalo Bayou is special and meaningful to you. Words and photos are much appreciated. Your stories will inspire the visual elements illuminated in the final procession!

Anthony Cardenas shared via Facebook – his jogging route.

Tricia Cantrell shared via Facebook – she was engaged at Buffalo Bayou Park!

Share with us why Buffalo Bayou is important to you!

One of the most anticipated aspects to be featured during the grand opening celebration of Buffalo Bayou Park will be an illuminated procession designed by New York-based Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) – an artistic organization created in 2005 whose mission is to expand and develop the art of pageant puppetry.

Led by creative visionaries Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, PAW has worked with communities internationally to create processions, flashmobs, and mobile performances in locales ranging from the streets of Kiev to the South Bronx; from the Italian Alps to rural Texas. Best known for their giant puppet performances in New York City’s Village Halloween Parade, PAW also had a strong presence at the second phase opening of the High Line, as well as a number of annual festivals throughout the world. For a complete catalog of their projects, visit  www.processionalarts.org.