Lake Houston spillway gates to receive crucial State funding

The State of Texas has agreed to requests to include funding for the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project, sediment capture projects, and both structural and nonstructural improvements for the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston in order to convey future floodwaters. City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin credits the success of this funding to the hundreds of community members who answered the call to action and called State leaders over the last two weeks.

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin’s office released a statement saying “The Lake Houston area is blessed with many engaged residents and together the “fix” for the Lake Houston Gates is finally on the horizon. This new state funding signals to the federal government the City of Houston is ready to move forward. It is important to note the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project has a benefit to cost ratio of 3.5, which is the highest rated project in the state of Texas.

These state funds in the amount of $50 million dollars will be utilized in the final design and construction of eleven new flood control gates to be added on the east embankment of the Lake Houston Spillway Dam. The City of Houston has spent $4.375 million on design for the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project securing $48 million dollars from the federal government along with $30 million dollars in local funds. U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw has also been instrumental in securing an $8 million dollar earmark and $38 million dollars in additional money for dredging in the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.

The last several months Mayor Pro Tem has visited Austin multiple times diligently meeting with representatives, legislative committee staff members, collecting over twenty letters of support from elected officials, and kicking off a grassroots campaign to accomplish the goal to fund much needed post Harvey improvements in the San Jacinto River Watershed. The District E office plans to host a falling community meeting in Kingwood to present the design concept and details related to the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project, future dredging and sediment capture, as well as, progress on the expansion of Northpark Drive.”

For more information contact Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin‘s office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.