LogFAQs > #885579305

two links to keep track of and keep in mind, all time here is Central (-1 EST).

Barker:
https://www.harriscountyfws.org/GageDetail/Index/2010

Addicks:
https://www.harriscountyfws.org/GageDetail/Index/2110


the initial plan was Addicks tonight at 2-3AM, Barker later. both got released at the same time and when you see those links you can see why: Addicks is almost full. 101 feet right now, house flooding is just a few feet away and it's over the spillway shortly after that. that's the spillage mentioned earlier of it going out westward.

Barker was intended to be later and while the flow is slower into it, it's right at house flooding levels. this gives cause for concern due to the fact that both dams are undergoing work at the moment as they both have old infrastructure. 2015 study gave this report in 2016:

http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-Safety-Program/


As part of the Corps’ transition to looking at dam safety risk differently, Addicks and Barker dams have undergone a recent evaluation, along with all dams nationwide.

Two structural areas of concern were identified in our evaluation of these two dams. They are:
the structures (or gates) in the dams that allow outflow to Buffalo Bayou, and
the ends of the dams

When we combined the risks associated with these two concerns with the potential consequences to the Houston metropolitan area should there be a failure, Addicks and Barker were designated as “extremely high risk”.

It is important to know that Addicks and Barker dams are not in imminent danger of failing. These two dams form reservoirs that are dry much of the time. They are continuously monitored by a full-time staff to ensure their structural integrity. But, the fact that the Houston metropolitan area is the nation’s fourth largest population center is a primary concern. Any dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.


bold is a huge concern. the two have likely been under construction trying to be repaired until recently and no way it's a 1-2 year resolution. for the next two days both of those are going to be hit ridiculously hard and then they still will be needed at full blast for the next couple weeks after that. that's your worst case scenario and probably why military freaked out to release Barker too. they cannot risk that. where they're at right now very few know so there's no information on that right now. i'd expect in depth info on that over the next few weeks.

all this said, figure a couple important links matter for this topic because there's a very real chance that we're in for Katrina 2.0 or worse.
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"Maybe it's a tentacle, molesting the planet itself. - Aschen Brodel.