Ever wondered how Houston protects itself from devastating floods? Addicks Reservoir stands as a crucial part of that defense. Completed in 1948 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Addicks Reservoir was built after catastrophic floods in 1929 and 1935. The reservoir works with the Barker Reservoir to prevent downstream flooding of Buffalo Bayou. Together, these reservoirs form an essential flood control system for Houston.
The Addicks Reservoir is located about 17 miles west of downtown Houston. It sits on the north side of Interstate 10, a vast expanse of land. State Highway 6 bisects the reservoir from north to south. The reservoir spans approximately 26000 acres with the Barker Reservoir. This combined area offers recreation and nature observation when it is not storing water.
Interestingly, the Addicks Reservoir got its name from the town of Addicks, Texas. The town was named after Henry Addicks, its original postmaster.
The dam forming the Addicks Reservoir stretches an impressive 61666 feet. That is over 11 miles long. A gravel road runs along the top offering a unique vantage point. The dam’s maximum elevation reaches 121 feet above sea level. The reservoir can hold up to 201000 acre-feet of water.
During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the Addicks Reservoir reached its highest recorded level. The water peaked at 109.1 feet. At that level, it held 217500 acre-feet of water.
To prevent the reservoirs from draining too quickly and flooding new developments, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added gates to all outlet conduits at the Addicks and Barker Dams in 1963. The Corps also imposed restrictive gate operations criteria that would allow water to remain in the reservoirs far longer than was originally intended.
The Addicks and Barker reservoirs play a crucial role in flood prevention. It is estimated that they prevent average annual flood damages of millions of dollars to the city.
However, the construction of residential neighborhoods within the reservoir basins has led to controversy. During Hurricane Harvey, many residents were unaware their homes were in a reservoir basin. This led to significant flooding and subsequent lawsuits against the government.
During and after Hurricane Harvey, the USACE began controlled water releases at both the Addicks and Barkerreservoirs, in an attempt to manage flood levels in the immediate area.
Despite the challenges, Addicks Reservoir remains a vital piece of Houston’s infrastructure. It also offers recreational opportunities. Bear Creek Pioneers Park is nearby. There’s even a paved bicycle trail next to the reservoir. So, while Addicks Reservoir’s primary function is flood control, it also provides green spaces for the community.