Flooding concerns plague New Caney Valley Ranch

**New Caney Residents Drown in Frustration Over ‘Permanent Lake’ Retention Pond**

NEW CANEY, TX – Residents in the Valley Ranch and Village Green subdivisions of New Caney are battling what they describe as a perpetually flooded retention pond that has transformed into a permanent lake in their backyards, raising serious concerns about safety, property values, and public health.

The persistent flooding, which some residents say has plagued their properties for over two years, has turned drainage ditches into stagnant waterways, attracting swarms of mosquitoes and diminishing the appeal of homes once marketed with attractive “waterfront views.”

Mike Mangan, who moved into Valley Ranch in December 2020, first noticed the drainage issues escalating in April 2022 when the ditch behind his home simply stopped receding. James Thompson, another resident who settled in September 2021, echoes Mangan’s frustrations, describing a constant struggle against mosquito infestations and a looming worry over plummeting property values.

Jennifer and Daniel Sanchez, homeowners on Autumn Trace Drive who purchased their property in June 2021, initially believed they had a desirable “waterfront view.” Jennifer now clarifies that this view is merely a continuously overflowing drainage ditch. She estimates its water level hasn’t dropped below eight feet in over two years. The Sanchez family, like many neighbors, points to Montgomery County Utility District No. 153 (MUD 153) as the responsible entity. Jennifer told local reporters that her persistent calls to MUD 153 since moving in have yielded what she characterizes as “misinformation” and “lies.”

The widespread concern has prompted residents to seek assistance from higher authorities, including Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner James Metts’ office and County Judge Mark Keough, in hopes of finding viable solutions and accountability.

MUD 153, the governmental entity tasked with managing the pond, held a meeting on June 27 to address the growing controversy. Tad Stone, the General Manager for MUD 153, offered his perspective in an interview with reporters on Tuesday, July 2. Stone attributed the persistently high water levels to “natural” causes, specifically citing the area’s proximity to the East Fork San Jacinto River and the Lake Houston Wilderness Park. He maintained that the detention pond *is* draining, albeit very slowly, primarily due to elevated groundwater levels.

Stone further explained that an engineering study of the area commenced last fall, and MUD 153 was slated to begin collecting additional data the following week (the week of July 8th, 2024) to more closely monitor the pond’s flow and water levels.

However, for residents like Michael Baker, who has endured the flooding since moving in June 2021, the MUD’s explanations fall short of providing a tangible solution. Baker, along with his neighbors, expresses mounting frustration as they continue to live with what feels like a permanent flood zone, a stark contrast to the amenities they believed they were buying into.

The situation highlights ongoing challenges with urban development in areas prone to high water tables and proximity to natural waterways, raising questions about initial development planning, ongoing maintenance responsibilities, and effective communication between utility districts and the communities they serve. As MUD 153 begins its new data collection, residents await concrete actions that will finally bring relief to their waterlogged properties.