Dredging approaches the San Jacinto East Fork

Dredging Now Closer to East Fork Than West

On July 9, the City of Houston announced a plan to dredge its way from the West Fork San Jacinto to the East Fork through a narrow channel south of Royal Shores in Kingwood. Since then, I’ve been tracking the progress. Between July 11 and August 28, the dredging moved about 1,200 feet east, or about 200 feet per week. But in the last three and a half weeks, the pace has slowed to less than 150 feet per week.

Dredging Pace Slowed During Nicholas

Hurricane Nicholas likely affected the schedule with the twin needs to secure equipment and lower the lake.

Regardless, when I put up a drone today, I found good news. The dredging is now much closer to the east fork than the west.

Dredging has now reached homes in Royal Shores. Looking south toward FM1960 and Lake Houston.
Looking east toward the East Fork. Dredging should break through in about another 1000 feet, the width of another six or seven homes.

Assuming the City can maintain a pace of 200 feet per week, that would put crews in the East Fork by the end of October.

Distance dredged in three weeks since last update on August 28th.
Looking west. At present, there appear to be two crews working. Note one still way out near the west fork, widening or deepening the channel near where they started in mid-July.
This certainly is one of the most beautiful parts of Houston for those who can afford to live with the flood risk.

Proposals for Long-Range Dredging Plan Due Today

A damage map compiled shortly after Harvey showed that 1290 Harris County homes flooded in the East Fork watershed.

Since then, a significant mouth bar has built up on the East Fork, potentially putting even more homes at risk.

The submission deadline for vendors to submit their qualifications for the development of a long-range dredging plan is today. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 9.23.21

1486 Days since Hurricane Harvey