324:, 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 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.
35:
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and public infrastructure" and that "future economic damages from flooding are likely" in 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.
42:
407:
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 a lawsuit in the CFC is set to expire in August 2023.
143:
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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.
214:(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 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
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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
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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 a Dam
406:
In June 2022, Judge Lettow presided over a two-week trial addressing the amounts owed to six bellwether plaintiffs by the US under 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
390:
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
353:
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
415:
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,
358:) 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,
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The northern and western ends of the dam consist of roller-compacted concrete spillways. The existing ground at either end of
Addicks Dam 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
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and that 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.
267:
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 a maximum elevation of 121 feet (37 m) above the
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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
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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.)
287:
During Hurricane Harvey, 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
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It 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.
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agricultural land where the consequences of flooding would be minimal. Harris County and Houston City authorities permitted developers to build residential neighborhoods (such as the
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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
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along with hike/bike/horse trails. There is a paved bicycle trail going alongside the reservoir, with the trailhead being located next to Sherwood Elementary School.
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Charles Irvine to serve as co-lead trial counsel for upstream plaintiffs. The CFC also selected 13 property owners for a
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272:(NAVD 1988) and is almost 50 feet (15 m) high in points. The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir is 201,000
497:
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926:"In victory for Harvey victims, Army Corps found liable for flooding damage upstream of Addicks, Barker reservoirs"
907:"In victory for Harvey victims, Army Corps found liable for flooding damage upstream of Addicks, Barker reservoirs"
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858:"Harvey Victims tell judge no one told them they were living in a designated flood pool, say government is liable"
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documents for land within the basin carry a one-sentence disclosure of possible "controlled inundation".
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is located within the western edge of the Addicks Reservoir, between Barker-Cypress Road and SH 6.
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719:"Houston officials knew homes in the Addicks and Barker reservoirs could flood. Why didn't residents?"
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990:"Federal judge awards compensation for Hurricane Harvey victims upstream from Addicks, Barker dams"
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206:. It extends slightly north of Clay Road and between Barker-Cypress Road to the west and
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to the southwest, the total storage capacity is about 410,000 acre-feet (510 GL).
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456:"What Happened to the Two Reservoirs That Were Supposed to Protect Downtown Houston?"
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to determine causation and liability issues common to the upstream property owners.
379:(CFC), seeking to hold the US government liable for the induced flooding under the "
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745:"Court of Federal Claims: Upstream Hurricane Harvey Case Will Proceed to Trial"
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194:(USACE) completed construction of Addicks Dam and the outlet facility in 1948.
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U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Addicks Reservoir
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945:"Trial begins to quantify losses of Houstonians flooded by government dams"
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960:"Post-Trial Decision on Just Compensation for Six Bellwether Plaintiffs"
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661:(Press release). United States Army Corps of Engineers. August 28, 2017
884:"Post-Trial Decision; Government-Induced Flooding on Private Property"
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and releases the remainder of Bear Creek just north of Buffalo Bayou.
369:
362:, which contains a portion of Barker Reservoir, began requiring that
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United States Army Corps of Engineers. Last accessed July 18, 2012.
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of June 20, 1938, which was modified by the Flood Control Acts of
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Addicks Reservoir and Dam get their name from the former town of
163:
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Several parks are scattered throughout the reservoir, including
975:"Feds must pay $ 450k for Texas Reservoirs Flooding Properties"
810:"Lead attorneys appointed in Hurricane Harvey flood litigation"
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was 123,100 acre-feet (151.8 GL), set on April 24, 2016.
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Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study Interim Report
167:
67:
681:"Houston flood: Dams begin overflowing amid record rainfall"
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Satija, Neena; Collier, Kiah; Shaw, Al (October 12, 2017).
363:
498:"With Harvey, Imperfect Engineering Meets a Perfect Storm"
280:), The record high water level for the reservoir prior to
771:
573:. U.S. Geological Survey. Last accessed April 27, 2016.
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began controlled water releases at both the Addicks and
526:
259:, named after its original postmaster, Henry Addicks.
583:
National Water Information System (August 30, 2017).
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Addicks and Barker Reservoirs – Reservoir Information
659:"Corps Releases at Addicks and Barker Dams to begin"
836:"Trial Over Hurricane Flooding in Houston Wraps Up"
202:Addicks Reservoir is situated on the north side of
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370:Government-induced flooding and ensuing litigation
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767:"Their Neighborhood was flooded to save Houston"
698:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District
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621:Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023).
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795:"Opinion and Order Denying Motion to Dismiss"
221:The Addicks Reservoir spillway is located at
527:Army Corps of Engineers (November 8, 2013).
1089:United States Army Corps of Engineers dams
585:"USGS 08073000 Addicks Res nr Addicks, TX"
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1004:"28 U.S.C. § 2501 - Time for filing suit"
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529:"REVIEW PLAN FOR ADDICKS AND BARKER DAMS"
308:On August 28, 2017, during flooding from
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154:and Addicks Dam in conjunction with the
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1094:Bodies of water of Harris County, Texas
1079:Protected areas of Harris County, Texas
765:Grinberg, Emanuella (August 25, 2019).
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924:Banks, Gabrielle (December 17, 2019).
905:Banks, Gabrielle (December 17, 2019).
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571:USGS National Water Information System
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435:. Harris County Flood Control District
973:Monterose, Isaac (October 31, 2022).
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270:North American Vertical Datum of 1988
146:Northeastern section of the reservoir
958:Lettow, Charles (October 28, 2022).
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743:Cavender, Anthony (June 13, 2018).
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988:Clarke, Deven (November 3, 2022).
943:Langford, Cameron (May 31, 2022).
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808:Ward, Alyson (November 22, 2017).
611:, 2008. Last accessed May 4, 2009.
208:Beltway 8/Sam Houston Tollway
14:
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856:Banks, Gabrielle (May 13, 2019).
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454:Grabar, Henry (August 28, 2017).
18:Reservoir in Texas, United States
793:Lettow, Charles (May 24, 2018).
496:Rogers, Adam (August 29, 2017).
483:"Addicks, Texas, and Bear Creek"
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886:. U.S. Court of Federal Claims
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240:29.79056°N 95.62333°W
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1069:Geography of Houston
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1074:Reservoirs in Texas
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644:figures follow the
433:"Addicks Reservoir"
245:29.79056; -95.62333
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102:29.7908°N 95.6236°W
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687:. August 29, 2017.
557:2009-06-18 at the
304:Controlled release
204:Interstate 10
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1047:Handbook of Texas
1042:Addicks Reservoir
930:Houston Chronicle
911:Houston Chronicle
882:Lettow, Charles.
862:Houston Chronicle
723:The Texas Tribune
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420:References
337:Recreation
276:(248
231:95°37′24″W
228:29°47′26″N
172:reservoirs
93:95°37′25″W
90:29°47′27″N
1044:from the
383:" of the
322:NAVD 1988
274:acre-feet
124:Reservoir
750:June 13,
701:Archived
685:BBC News
648:series.
555:Archived
328:Benefits
198:Location
60:Location
867:May 13,
170:. Both
164:Houston
64:Houston
1049:Online
318:Barker
190:. The
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
