Barker Reservoir is a flood control structure in Houston, Texas which prevents downstream flooding of Buffalo Bayou , the city's principal river. The reservoir operates in conjunction with Addicks Reservoir to the northeast, which impounds Mayde and Bear Creeks, two tributaries of the Buffalo. Both reservoirs were authorized under the Rivers and Harbors Act of June 20, 1938, which were modified by the Flood Control Acts of August 11, 1938; September 3, 1954; and October 27, 1965.
37-597: The Addicks Reservoir and Addicks Dam in conjunction with the Barker Reservoir prevent downstream flooding of Buffalo Bayou in the city of Houston , Texas . Both reservoirs were authorized under the Rivers and Harbors Act of June 20, 1938, which was modified by the Flood Control Acts of 1938 , 1954 , and 1965 . The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed construction of Addicks Dam and
74-672: A bellwether trial to determine causation and liability issues common to the Upstream property owners. Federal Claims Judge Charles Lettow presided over the May 2019 liability trial, which was held in Houston, Texas. On December 17, 2019, the CFC held that the upstream flooding constituted a Fifth Amendment taking. The decision detailed how U.S. government officials knowingly and intentionally imposed flooding on upstream private property, and that
111-456: A bellwether trial to determine causation and liability issues common to the upstream property owners. Federal Claims Judge Charles Lettow presided over the May 2019 liability trial, which was held in Houston, Texas. On December 17, 2019, the CFC held that the upstream flooding constituted a Fifth Amendment taking. The decision detailed how US government officials knowingly and intentionally imposed flooding on upstream private property and that
148-726: A new geometric reference frame and geopotential datum, based on GPS and gravimetric geoid models. NAVD 88 was established in 1991 by the minimum-constraint adjustment of geodetic leveling observations in Canada , the United States , and Mexico . It held fixed the height of the primary tide gauge benchmark , referenced to the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985 local mean sea level (MSL) height value, at Rimouski , Quebec , Canada . Additional tidal bench mark elevations were not used due to
185-607: A Dam Safety Modification Study to evaluate long-term repairs and address issues associated with the dams. Staff presented this information during a public meeting October 29 at Bear Creek Community Center in Houston to discuss these plans and gather feedback. Construction is scheduled to begin May 2015 with an estimated completion date of 2019. It is estimated the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, along with other federal construction projects on Lower Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries, will prevent average annual flood damages of $ 16,372,000 to
222-493: A Dam Safety Modification Study to evaluate long-term repairs and address issues associated with the dams. Staff presented this information during a public meeting on October 29 at Bear Creek Community Center in Houston to discuss these plans and gather feedback. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2015 with an estimated completion date of 2019. The northern and western ends of the dam consist of roller-compacted concrete spillways. The existing ground at either end of Addicks Dam
259-592: A lawsuit in the CFC is set to expire in August 2023. In October 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published an Interim Report regarding the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs. The Interim Report states that high reservoir water levels resulting from the Army Corp's operation of the Addicks and Barker dams "pose unacceptable risks to health and human safety, private property, and public infrastructure," and that "future economic damages from flooding are likely" in
296-444: A lawsuit in the CFC is set to expire in August 2023. In October 2020, USACE published an interim report regarding the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs. The interim report states that high reservoir water levels resulting from USACE's operation of the Addicks and Barker dams "pose unacceptable risks to health and human safety, private property, and public infrastructure" and that "future economic damages from flooding are likely" in
333-487: A maximum elevation of 121 feet (37 m) above the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 1988) and is almost 50 feet (15 m) high in points. The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir is 201,000 acre-feet (248 GL ), The record high water level for the reservoir prior to Hurricane Harvey was 123,100 acre-feet (151.8 GL), set on April 24, 2016. During Hurricane Harvey,
370-434: Is based on then-available measurements, and remains fixed despite later improved geoid models. Since NGVD 29 used a simple model of gravity based on latitude to calculate the geoid and did not take into account other variations, elevation difference between points in a local area in it and NAVD 88 will show negligible change from one datum to the other, even though the elevation of both does change between datums. Based on
407-403: Is estimated the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, along with other federal construction projects on Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries, prevent average annual flood damages of $ 16,372,000 to the city of Houston. Several parks are scattered throughout the reservoir, including Bear Creek Pioneers Park along with hike/bike/horse trails. There is a paved bicycle trail going alongside the reservoir, with
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#1732790416148444-515: Is located entirely within the reservoir. Houston annexed the Addicks area in 1972. Barker Reservoir is southwest of the intersection of Interstate 10 and State Highway 6 , about one mile (1.6 km) south of Addicks in western Harris County. The Barker Reservoir spillway is located at 29°46′10.86″N 95°38′47.09″W / 29.7696833°N 95.6464139°W / 29.7696833; -95.6464139 . The Barker Dam and Reservoir
481-521: Is lower than the top of the dam elevation. The existing ground at the north end of Addicks Dam is at an elevation of 108 feet (33 m) and ties into the concrete spillway crest at 112.5 feet (34.3 m). The existing ground at the western end is at an elevation of 111.0 feet (33.8 m) and ties into the concrete spillway which has a crest of 115.5 feet (35.2 m). (All elevations are NAVD 1988.) On August 28, 2017, during flooding from Hurricane Harvey , USACE began controlled water releases at both
518-501: Is named for the community of Barker, Texas. In 1895, the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad laid tracks and began operating through Barker. The town was named for the track laying contractor Ed. Barker. Barker Reservoir is formed by a rolled earthen dam 72,900 feet (22,200 m) long. A 12-foot-wide (3.7 m) gravel road extends along the top of the dam. The top of the dam has a maximum elevation of 112.5 feet (34.3 m) above
555-704: Is the vertical datum for orthometric heights established for vertical control surveying in the United States based upon the General Adjustment of the North American Datum of 1988. It superseded the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), previously known as the Sea Level Datum of 1929. NAVD 88, along with North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), is set to be replaced in 2025 with
592-502: The Lakes on Eldridge subdivision ) on this privately-owned land within the basins of the reservoirs. Today, about 14,000 homes are located inside the reservoir basins. Many residents complained after Hurricane Harvey that they were not informed that their homes were located inside a reservoir basin. Beginning in the 1990s, Fort Bend County , which contains a portion of Barker Reservoir, began requiring that plat documents for land within
629-592: The N.G.V.D. and is 36 feet high in places. The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir is 209,000 acre-feet (258,000,000 cubic metres ; 258 gigalitres ), Combined with the adjacent Addicks Reservoir to the northeast, the total storage capacity is about 410,000 acre-feet (510,000,000 m ; 510 GL). From 2008 to 2014, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District implemented $ 4.4 million in interim risk reduction measures (at Addicks and Barker dams) to address deficiencies until long-term solutions could be identified and executed. In 2014, staff completed
666-508: The Addicks and Barker reservoirs, in an attempt to manage flood levels in the immediate area. The waters continued to rise, and on August 29, after reaching pool elevation over 108 feet (33 m) above NAVD 1988 , the Addicks Reservoir began around the end of the dam near Tanner Road. Flows less than 100 cubic feet per second (2,800 L/s) were detected at the spillway. In the afternoon of August 29, 2017, USACE decided to raise
703-589: The Fifth Amendment's "Takings Clause". In October 2022, the CFC issued its just compensation decision finding in favor of the bellwether plaintiffs. The six bellwether plaintiffs received awards for decreased real property values, damaged or destroyed personal property, and costs for the owners being displaced. Total compensation for the around 10,000 upstream property owners who suffered government-induced flooding could reach or exceed $ 1.7 billion before interest. The six-year statute of limitations for filing
740-511: The Fifth Amendment's takings clause. In October 2022, the CFC issued its just compensation decision finding in favor of the bellwether plaintiffs. The 6 bellwether plaintiffs received awards for decreased real property values, damaged or destroyed personal property, and costs for the owners being displaced. Total compensation for the ~10,000 upstream property owners who suffered government-induced flooding could reach or exceed $ 1.7 billion before interest. The 6-year statute of limitations for filing
777-526: The U.S. government liable for the induced flooding under the “takings clause” of the Fifth Amendment. Given the large number of lawsuits, the CFC decided to handle the cases as a group by using case management methods commonly employed in multi-district litigation. To that end, and after considering hundreds of applications, the CFC appointed attorneys Armistead "Armi" Easterby, Daniel Charest, and Charles Irvine to serve as Co-Lead trial counsel for upstream plaintiffs. The CFC also selected 13 property owners for
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#1732790416148814-455: The approximately 26,000 acres (11,000 ha) of land that makes up Addicks and Barker reservoirs, which are often dry wooded areas in normal times. The West Houston Airport is located within the western edge of the Addicks Reservoir, between Barker-Cypress Road and SH 6. The Addicks Reservoir spillway is located at 29°47′26″N 95°37′24″W / 29.79056°N 95.62333°W / 29.79056; -95.62333 and releases
851-573: The basin carry a one-sentence disclosure of possible "controlled inundation". During and after Hurricane Harvey, 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) of private upstream land was deliberately submerged by the USACE operation of the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs. In response, upstream property owners filed a series of lawsuits in the US Court of Federal Claims (CFC), seeking to hold the US government liable for
888-499: The city of Houston. Addicks and Barker provide no flood reduction benefits to properties upstream of the dams and reservoirs. During and after Hurricane Harvey , 7,000 acres of private upstream land was deliberately submerged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operation of the Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs. In response, Upstream property owners filed a series of lawsuits in The U.S. Court of Federal Claims (CFC) seeking to hold
925-408: The controlled release rates to 16,000 cubic feet per second (450,000 L/s). As of August 30, 2017, combined controlled discharge rates of Barker and Addicks were 13,700 cubic feet per second (390,000 L/s), and subdivisions surrounding the outlets and downstream past Beltway 8/Sam Houston Tollway experienced significantly increased flooding as Buffalo Bayou further overtopped its banks. It
962-541: The demonstrated variations in sea surface topography , i.e., that MSL is not the same equipotential surface at all tidal bench marks. North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) consists of a leveling network on the North American Continent, ranging from Alaska, through Canada, across the United States, affixed to a single origin point on the continent. In 1993 NAVD 88 was affirmed as
999-561: The induced flooding under the " Takings Clause " of the Fifth Amendment . Given the large number of lawsuits, the CFC decided to handle the cases as a group by using case management methods commonly employed in multi-district litigation. To that end, and after considering hundreds of applications, the CFC appointed attorneys Armistead "Armi" Easterby, Daniel Charest, and Charles Irvine to serve as co-lead trial counsel for upstream plaintiffs. The CFC also selected 13 property owners for
1036-698: The level peaked at 109.1 feet (33.3 m) on August 30, 2017, becoming the highest recorded level for Addicks Reservoir. Water retention at this level was 217,500 acre-feet (268.3 GL). Combined with the adjacent Barker Reservoir to the southwest, the total storage capacity is about 410,000 acre-feet (510 GL). From 2008 to 2014, the USACE Galveston District implemented $ 4.4 million (equivalent to $ 5.58 million in 2023) in interim risk reduction measures (at Addicks and Barker dams) to address deficiencies until long-term solutions could be identified and executed. In 2014, staff completed
1073-658: The more recent surveying techniques and data, it was determined that NAVD 88 is both biased (by about 0.5 meters (1 ft 8 in)) and tilted (about 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) coast to coast). To improve the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), the National Geodetic Service will replace the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) with
1110-597: The official vertical datum in the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) for the Conterminous United States and Alaska. (see Federal Register Notice (FRN)). Although many papers on NAVD 88 exist, no single document serves as the official defining document for that datum. The definition of NAVD 88 uses the Helmert orthometric height, which calculates the location of the geoid (which approximates MSL) from modeled local gravity. The NAVD 88 model
1147-496: The outlet facility in 1948. Addicks Reservoir is situated on the north side of Interstate 10 . It extends slightly north of Clay Road and between Barker-Cypress Road to the west and Beltway 8/Sam Houston Tollway to the east. State Highway 6 (SH 6) bisects the reservoir north to south. In addition to the Reservoir's flood damage reduction mission, recreation and nature observation opportunities abound through
Addicks Reservoir - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-403: The remainder of Bear Creek just north of Buffalo Bayou. Addicks Reservoir and Dam get their name from the former town of Addicks, Texas , named after its original postmaster, Henry Addicks. Addicks Reservoir is formed by a rolled earthen dam 61,666 feet (18,796 m) long and above the streambed. A 12-foot-wide (3.7 m) gravel road extends along the top of the dam. The top of the dam has
1221-544: The trailhead being located next to Sherwood Elementary School. When the Addicks and Barker reservoirs were originally constructed, USACE acquired approximately 24,500 acres (9,900 ha) of land even though, at the time, it was known that an additional 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) could be inundated at full pool. Initially, these additional acres were largely agricultural land where the consequences of flooding would be minimal. Harris County and Houston City authorities permitted developers to build residential neighborhoods (such as
1258-462: The upstream area. The Interim Report further indicates that there is inadequate government-owned real estate for dam operations, as more than 20,000 homes and 24,000 parcels of privately owned upstream land are within the areas subject to government-induced flooding. The total acquisition cost to acquire these lands would be approximately $ 10 billion. North American Vertical Datum of 1988 The North American Vertical Datum of 1988 ( NAVD 88 )
1295-447: The upstream area. The interim report further indicates that there is inadequate government-owned real estate for dam operations, as more than 20,000 homes and 24,000 parcels of privately owned upstream land are within the areas subject to government-induced flooding. The total acquisition cost to acquire these lands would be approximately $ 10 billion. Barker Reservoir George Bush Park , operated by Harris County ,
1332-415: The victims living near the federally owned reservoirs did not know their property was in a federal flood-control project's reservoir flood pool. During trial, government lawyers stated this litigation is the largest Fifth Amendment “takings” case in United States history. In June 2022, Judge Lettow presided over a 2-week trial addressing the amounts owed to 6 bellwether plaintiffs by the United States under
1369-402: The victims living near the federally-owned reservoirs did not know their property was in a federal flood-control project's reservoir flood pool. During trial, government lawyers stated this litigation is the largest Fifth Amendment "Takings Clause" case in US history. In June 2022, Judge Lettow presided over a two-week trial addressing the amounts owed to six bellwether plaintiffs by the US under
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