Houston flood: Addicks dam begins overspilling

[jpak]

Source: BBC

A major dam outside Houston has begun overspilling as Storm Harvey pushes the reservoir past capacity, a Texas official says.

Engineers have tried to prevent nearby communities from being inundated by releasing some of the water held by the Addicks dam.

But flood control official Jeff Lindner says water levels are now over the height of the reservoir edge.

Harvey has brought huge floods to Texas and is starting to affect Louisiana.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41081629

[csziggy]

1. Saw a report on MSNBC just now - water coming in faster than they can release it nt

[jpak]

2. This Mornings Hurricane Harvey News Doesnt Look Good At All. UPDATE: The Addicks Dam Has Topped

http://hotair.com/archives/2017/08/29/mornings-hurricane-harvey-news-doesnt-look-good/

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UPDATE: (Jazz) As of 7:45 local time the Addicks dam had topped and water was flowing over the rim. Officials announced that they are opening the gates wider, so a lot of water is heading into the city. They further said that controlled releases will be taking place “for months” after the storm is over. This recovery is going to be going well into 2018.

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[brush]

3. Anyone know where the released water goes?

I get why they're releasing it but does the additional water add to the flooding?

[jpak]

5. I think it's Buffalo Bayou

n/t

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. Yes, but it also goes into homes on the reservoirs perimeter

Those are the homes that are experiencing flooding now. The reservoirs are usually DRY and are used as a county park (George W Bush park). So it's a real shock to be living near a beautiful park that turns into any overflowing lake.

[yallerdawg]

4. Don't tell me Americans don't like to gamble.

Houston is vastly different than when these levees were constructed 80 years ago. Addicks and Barker were miles away out in the country!

Why would we ever plan to protect millions of people against a worst-case scenario? Better to bet it never happens?

Homes were built IN the reservoirs! (it used to be grazing land - I used to pick mushrooms out there! )

Houston has been flooding for decades - the majority of the properties carry NO flood insurance!

Astounding.

[Not Ruth]

6. In hindsight, it may not have been the best idea

[FLPanhandle]

7. Just too many human beings

Houston's population has grown so fast and they all have to go somewhere.

There are an additional 100 million people in the US than there was in 1970.

Just too many people.

[yallerdawg]

8. Maybe the 'climate change' coastal plan then amounts to...

"thin the herd."

[jpak]

9. CNN now calling the situation an "uncontrolled dischagre"

Not good.

[jpak]

10. KHOU - Officials anticipate uncontrolled releases at Barker, Addicks Reservoirs

http://www.khou.com/weather/hurricanes/hurricane-harvey/controlled-release-of-barker-addicks-reservoirs-to-impact-thousands/468348109

HOUSTON - Barker and Addicks reservoirs continue to rise and are impacting residents in neighboring areas after a controlled water release.

In a Tuesday morning press conference, the Army Corps of Engineers said that the pool elevation at Addicks had risen to 108 feet and is flowing over the spillway. A slight increase was also reported at Barker which is currently at 100 feet.

Officials had started to release water from both reservoirs early Monday in an effort to prevent uncontrolled releases at the spillways. However, officials warned that there was potential for uncontrolled releases at the Addicks spillway once the pool level reaches 108 feet. That level is 104 feet for Barker.

Officials said Tuesday the gauges in both reservoirs have flooded and they are trying to repair them.

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