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If the Addicks and Barker Dams Fail

By Steve Jansen July 19, 2012

The psychic's office at South Highway 6's Briarhills Parkways strip mall would be one of the first ones to go. Later, jungle gyms and mailboxes painted in Texas state flag colors might join the bobbing televisions and tombstones from Memorial Oaks Cemetery in the crude river that's been formed by a... More >>>

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In fall 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tagged West Houston's Addicks and Barker dams with an "extremely high risk of catastrophic failure" label. According to the Corps, the 1940s-era dams, which leaked in April 2009, are two of the country's six most dangerous. As a result, the Corps, during an abnormal weather event, might be forced to release more rainwater downstream, which could send Buffalo Bayou out of its banks and flood homes in Memorial and Tanglewood.

Mauro Amoro attempts to reel in catfish at George Bush Park following last Thursday's downpours. The nation's sixth-largest city park, which nestles the hazardous Barker Dam, is a favorite amongst gun enthusiasts, cyclists, soccer players and dog-park lovers.

The urbanization of West Houston — which doesn't seem like it's letting up anytime soon — can be seen from the top of the Barker levee while looking north towards I-10. Dunbar, Merz and residents of the area are concerned that the Grand Parkway will coax more development, which could send more storm-water runoff to the Barker Reservoir, pictured on the left.

Lawrence Dunbar, a licensed professional engineer and former leader of the Corps of Engineers' flood control and reservoir regulation section, says that it might not take another Allison or Ike to bury Houston in billions of dollars in damage.

After Evelyn Merz of the Houston Sierra Club stumbled upon the operational changes for Addicks and Barker, she scheduled a meeting with the Corps of Engineers. But before she could voice her concerns, the Corps gave approval to the continued construction of the Grand Parkway between Interstate 10 and Highway 290. Environmentalists say the future toll road, located west of Highway 6, will stress the shaky dams even more.

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Mauro Amoro attempts to reel in catfish at George Bush Park following last Thursday's downpours. The nation's sixth-largest city park, which nestles the hazardous Barker Dam, is a favorite amongst gun enthusiasts, cyclists, soccer players and dog-park lovers.

Daniel Kramer

Mauro Amoro attempts to reel in catfish at George Bush Park following last Thursday's downpours. The nation's sixth-largest city park, which nestles the hazardous Barker Dam, is a favorite amongst gun enthusiasts, cyclists, soccer players and dog-park lovers.

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