More than a half century ago, in response to devastating floods that occurred in Houston in 1929 and 1935, the Army Corps of Engineers began construction of Addicks and Barker Dams in what was then undeveloped areas in far west Harris and east Fort Bend Counties. This undertaking was a milestone in a longstanding partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the greater Houston community. 

   Addicks and Barker Reservoirs are located near the intersection of I-10 and State Highway 6, in an area considered to be in the upper watershed of Buffalo Bayou.  They provide flood damage reduction along Buffalo Bayou downstream of the reservoirs and through the center of the City of Houston. But like much of our national infrastructure, Addicks and Barker have been around a long time. The Army Corps of Engineers continually inspects all of its dams nationwide under its Dam Safety Program, a program that shows our commitment to protecting lives, property and the environment by ensuring that all dams are designed, constructed, operated and maintained as safely and effectively as is possible. The Corps of Engineers Dam Safety Program provides a framework to ensure that both short and long term solutions are studied and applied, and helps to ensure public safety for our local communities.