Reduce Your Flood Risk for Less than $1

3/20/25 – Montgomery County has asked U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw for federal help in sponsoring a study on repurposing old sand mines. Please send a letter expressing your support. For less than $1 – the cost of an envelope and a stamp – you could help reduce your flood risk.

Why Repurposing is Necessary

Southern Montgomery County has more than 20 square miles of sand mines. To put that in perspective, together, they exceed the size of Lake Houston. In fact, five of the mine complexes are wider than the lake itself at its widest point.

Some mines are still producing, but many have been abandoned – without any remediation or repurposing. Worse, an area 50% larger than Harris County drains through the mines and flushes sediment from them into Lake Houston during floods. The sediment reduces room for water, backs water up, contributes to flooding, and raises water treatment costs.

*Exposed sediment in San Jacinto West Fork sand mine*

Potential Benefits of Redevelopment

Other areas around the world have used old mines to enhance floodplain management, ecological restoration, and community recreation. Thoughtful redevelopment of Montgomery County mines might yield significant benefits here, too. That’s why we need this study.

Challenges of Abandoned Sand Mines in Floodplains:

Flooding Risks: Abandoned sand mines in floodplains can exacerbate flooding by altering natural water flow and increasing sediment deposition downstream. For instance, during Hurricane Harvey, sand from mining operations contributed to sediment buildup in the San Jacinto River, reducing its capacity and worsening flood conditions.
Environmental Degradation: Unrehabilitated mines can lead to habitat loss, water quality issues, and destabilized riverbanks, impacting local ecosystems and communities.

Potential Repurposing Strategies

Sand-mining in floodplains typically leaves large holes in the ground. With planning, they can turn into extra storage for flood water. Typical secondary uses include:

Water Management Infrastructure:

Stormwater Retention Basins: Repurposed mines can serve as detention basins, managing stormwater runoff and reducing urban flooding.
Groundwater Recharge Zones: These areas can facilitate groundwater recharge, enhancing water availability during dry periods.

Wetland and Riparian Restoration:

Flood Mitigation: Transforming abandoned mines into wetlands can act as natural sponges, absorbing excess floodwater and reducing downstream flooding.
Habitat Creation: Restored wetlands and riparian buffers support biodiversity, offering habitats for various species and improving water quality through natural filtration.

Recreational and Educational Facilities:

Parks and Trails: Redeveloping these areas into parks with walking trails, fishing spots, and bird-watching platforms can provide community recreational spaces.
Environmental Education Centers: Establishing centers focused on local ecology and conservation can promote environmental awareness and stewardship.

Where It Has Worked Elsewhere

Other areas around the world have faced similar challenges and turned lemons into lemonade.

The Little Miami River, Ohio, USA: Provides flood control benefits, supports a rich array of wildlife, and has become an important recreational and educational resource for surrounding communities.
Maasplassen Lakes, Netherlands: Former sand pits were transformed into a network of lakes used for water sports, nature conservation, and tourism, boosting the local economy and biodiversity.
Chattahoochee RiverLands, Georgia, USA: Abandoned sand and gravel pits are being converted into natural areas and parks as part of a greenway system, focusing on habitat restoration and public access.
Tinsley Green Sand Quarry, South Yorkshire, UK: Now supports a wide range of species, including several that are rare or protected.
Angler’s Paradise, United Kingdom: A sand and gravel pit in Devon, England, was transformed into a well-known fishing and leisure destination known as Angler’s Paradise.

Considerations for the San Jacinto Watershed

For similar plans to succeed here in the San Jacinto Watershed, in my opinion, we need:

Comprehensive Planning: Collaborative efforts among local governments, environmental organizations, and communities are essential to develop sustainable repurposing plans.
Environmental Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments to address potential contamination and ensure safe redevelopment.
Community Engagement: Involving local residents in planning ensures that projects meet community needs and gain public support.

By implementing these strategies, abandoned sand mines in the San Jacinto watershed could potentially be transformed into assets that enhance environmental health, provide recreational opportunities, and improve flood resilience for communities downstream.

Miners could incorporate the long-term vision for the area into their mine-abandonment plans. But first, we need the vision. So, reduce your flood risk for less than $1.

Suggested Letter

Here is a sample letter. Feel free to copy it or put it in your own words. But send it right away. The deadline is March 28, 2025.

[Insert Your Return Address Here]

March 20, 2025

The Honorable Dan Crenshaw

248 Cannon HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Re: Supporting Flood Damage Reduction and Environmental Enhancements Study of Sand Mines Along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River

Dear Congressman Crenshaw:

I am writing to express my support for the proposed feasibility study regarding the re-purposing of sand mines along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River for flood damage reduction and environmental enhancements. This project will help mitigate flood risks, enhance water quality, restore ecological function, and improve the resilience of East Montgomery County as well as people downstream in Harris County.

The proposed feasibility study will focus on the reuse of existing sand mines. It presents an opportunity to improve drainage, provide for additional floodwater storage, and enhance recreation.

To put the problem in perspective, five of the sand mines are wider than Lake Houston. And all sand mines combined exceed the area of Lake Houston, which provides water for more than 2 million people.

We thank you for giving this project your full consideration and support and for your commitment to addressing the drainage challenges in Montgomery County Precinct 4.

Respectfully,

[Signature/Name]

Send your letter today! Granted, repurposing mines would be a long-term effort. But it could help reduce your flood risk for less than $1.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/20/25

2760 Days since Hurricane Harvey

The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.