Addicks Reservoir

Addicks Reservoir. Located in Harris County, Texas, near the city of Houston, it is a vital component of the Buffalo Bayou flood control system, working in conjunction with the Barker Reservoir to prevent flooding in the Houston Ship Channel and surrounding areas, including Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center. The reservoir is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston. The reservoir's design and construction were influenced by the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 and the subsequent Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway flood control efforts.

Introduction

The Addicks Reservoir is situated approximately 19 miles west of Downtown Houston, near the intersection of Highway 6 and Westheimer Road. The reservoir is named after the Addicks, Texas community, which was established in the late 19th century by the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway company, with the help of Southern Pacific Railroad and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The reservoir's construction was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1935, and it was completed in 1948, with the assistance of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of approximately 207,000 acre-feet, making it an essential component of the Houston Ship Channel flood control system, which also includes the San Jacinto River and the Trinity River.

Geography and Hydrology

The Addicks Reservoir is located in the Gulf Coastal Plain region of Texas, near the Prairie View A&M University and the Texas A&M University. The reservoir's watershed covers an area of approximately 138 square miles, including parts of Harris County, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, and Waller County, Texas. The reservoir is impounded by the Addicks Dam, which is a 12,000-foot-long earthen dam, designed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and constructed with the help of the Bechtel Group and the Kiewit Corporation. The reservoir's water level is controlled by the Addicks Reservoir Control Structure, which is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

History

The Addicks Reservoir was constructed in response to the severe flooding that occurred in the Houston, Texas area during the 1930s, including the Buffalo Bayou flood of 1935 and the Texas Flood of 1938. The reservoir's design and construction were influenced by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the United States Bureau of Reclamation, with the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal programs. The reservoir was completed in 1948, and it has since played a critical role in preventing flooding in the Houston Ship Channel and surrounding areas, including the Port of Houston and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The reservoir has also been used for recreational purposes, including fishing and boating, with the help of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Flood Control

The Addicks Reservoir is designed to provide flood control for the Houston, Texas area, with a focus on protecting the Houston Ship Channel and surrounding areas, including the Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center. The reservoir is operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston, with the help of the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The reservoir's flood control capabilities were tested during the Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, and the Hurricane Harvey in 2017, with the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. The reservoir has also been used to mitigate the effects of flooding in the Buffalo Bayou watershed, including the White Oak Bayou and the Brays Bayou.

Environmental Impact

The Addicks Reservoir has had a significant environmental impact on the surrounding area, including the Prairie View A&M University and the Texas A&M University. The reservoir's construction has altered the natural flow of the Buffalo Bayou, affecting the habitats of various plant and animal species, including the American alligator and the Bald eagle. The reservoir has also been affected by the invasive species such as the Zebra mussel and the Hydrilla, with the help of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Efforts have been made to mitigate the environmental impact of the reservoir, including the creation of the Addicks Reservoir Park, which provides habitat for various plant and animal species, including the White-tailed deer and the Wild turkey.

Recreation and Management

The Addicks Reservoir is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston, with the help of the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service. The reservoir is open to the public for recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and hiking, with the assistance of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The reservoir is also home to the Addicks Reservoir Park, which provides picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities for birdwatching, with the help of the Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society. The reservoir's management is guided by the Addicks Reservoir Master Plan, which aims to balance flood control, environmental, and recreational needs, with the help of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Category:Reservoirs in Texas