The hand of sand miners weighs heavily on the San Jacinto watershed. Not all miners. But many.
While exploring the river basin by helicopter last week, the contrast between two scenes struck me: 1) The natural blanket of green in Lake Houston Wilderness Park. 2) Sand mines that lined the banks of the East and West Forks for miles.
The trees and natural wetlands inhibit floods. They slow floodwaters down, hold them back during heavy rains, and reduce erosion. The sand mines do not. They may provide some floodwater detention, but the pits are often filled to the brim and their dikes often break.
How you treat the land determines how it treats you. Especially during floods. This aerial photo essay shows how the San Jacinto River Basin used to look and how it looks today.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Peach and Caney Creeks border Lake Houston Wilderness Park on the west. The San Jacinto East Fork borders it on the east. The shot below represents the way the whole Lake Houston area used to be.
Looking across the 5000 acres of Lake Houston Wilderness Park – the largest urban nature park in America.
Compare That With These Shots
This first provides a direct comparison.
Sand mine on Caney Creek. Lake Houston Wilderness Park in upper right.
I’ll provide five more shots here, all from the West Fork San Jacinto. They represent more than 500 similar shots I took on 7/22/22.
No Swimming
When I see all this environmental degradation, my mind starts swimming – despite the scary water.
How much sediment gets swept downstream in floods?
Can this land ever return to productive use?
Do other cities allow mining in urban environments upstream from their water sources?
What effect does mining have on the water quality in Lake Houston?
What percentage of our water bills goes to cleaning up this water?
Why doesn’t Texas have performance bonds that ensure sand miners leave the land in habitable shape?
The sand makes concrete. It supports growth. But is all growth good?
Is growth in one area at the expense of public safety in another worthwhile?
Should we limit the concentration of mines in an area?
Why do mines expect the public to pay their cleanup and reclamation costs?
Is it safe to build mines below a dam that releases enough water during floods to break the mines’ dikes?
Are there no alternatives?
Cycle Continues
New Segment H of the Grand Parkway cutting east through forests will attract more subdivisions that require more sand for more concrete.
I encourage rebuttals from any mine owner who wishes to address these questions.
Posted by Bob Rehak on July 27, 2022
1793 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220722-RJR_0554.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2022-07-27 14:03:372022-08-29 15:08:12The Hand of Sand Miners on the San Jacinto
The Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, aka the world’s largest trailer park, has more than doubled in size in the last 3 years. Measurements in Google Earth show that Colony Ridge, which started clearing land in 2012, has expanded from approximately 8,000 acres in 2019 to almost 20,000 acres today. To put that in perspective, Kingwood comprises approximately 14,000 acres and took more than 40 years to build out.
Colony Ridge started developing on the left (west). It is expanding eastand north.
Growing Pains
But the rapid growth of Colony Ridge has not come without pain:
Rivers of mud continue to flow out of drainage ditches with big rains because the developer flaunted construction regulations for them.
Consequences of Poor Construction Practices
As a result of such drainage issues and exposed soils, more sediment flows downstream than otherwise would. This contributed to sediment buildups on the San Jacinto East Fork (see below). Those, in turn, reduce conveyance and contribute to downstream flooding – unless the public continues to spend millions on dredging.
East Fork Mouth Bar after Imelda but before recent dredging. Average river depth had been reduced to three feet.
Still Not Following Best Practices
Aerial photos taken on 7/22/2022 with Ken Williams and Bill Callegari, two fellow members of the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force, show the current state of the development and construction practices in Colony Ridge. Sadly, not much has improved. For instance, the developer still piles dirt on the edge of ditches without protecting them with silt fences.
Note long drainage ditch cutting diagonally through middle of frame. Developer has piled dirt next to it (middle left of frame) without protecting ditch with silt fencing.Major ditch cutting through older section is sill not protected with back-slope interceptor swales or vegetation.Erosion is rampant.
Water shooting down the ditch above created a major headache during Harvey. See below.
FM 1010 Still Washed Out
Floodwater from the ditch washed out FM 1010. This major N/S thoroughfare still needs repair…five years later!
Break in FM 1010, aka Plum Grove Roadforces residents to detour for miles.
Photos Showing New Development
Area developed last year is starting to fill in with new trailer homes already.Note absence of fire hydrants…still.Looking east at area still under construction.Looking E from NE corner of development.Another area semi-cleared but still unpaved.
If there’s good news in these photos, it is that the developer appears to be leaving more natural ground cover in the newest areas. Still, without vegetation on the sides of ditches, without better construction practices, excess sediment could continue washing into the Lake Houston Area for years to come.
Downstream residents will continue to pay the price for egregious development practices upstream.
Someday, the people who buy these lots will also become flood victims of similar new developments even farther upstream.
Will we continue to repeat mistakes of the past in ever widening circles? Will we continue to sow the seeds of future flooding? Or will we wake up to the fact that we are all part of one giant community?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/23/2022
1792 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220726-Screen-Shot-2022-07-26-at-10.27.55-AM-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C854&ssl=18541200adminadmin2022-07-26 15:04:302022-08-29 15:09:39Controversial Colony Ridge Development Doubles in Size
Two new subdivisions are now routing their drainage through or toward San Jacinto West Fork sand mines.
The one already going through a mine is Artavia on the north/east side of the Westfork between FM 1314 and river.
The other is near Woodson’s Reserve on the south/west side of the river just inside the Grand Parkway (SH99). Their ditch currently stops just feet short of another sand mine.
Routing drainage through sand mines raises concerns about the potential for increasing sediment in the West Fork. Increased sediment can reduce conveyance and contribute to flooding.
Accident Waiting to Happen?
During a flyover of the West Fork on Friday 7/22/2022 with Ken Williams and Bill Callegari, two fellow members of the Harris County Community Resilience Flood Task Force, I photographed both drainage issues from the air. They gave me a queasy, “accident-waiting-to-happen” feeling.
So, I reached out to Texas A&M, the TCEQ, the Montgomery County Engineer’s office and two hydrologists to ask about about safety. I could not reach anyone at A&M, TCEQ, or the MoCo Engineer’s office. But this is vacation time.
However, the two hydrologists did express concerns. See them below the pictures.
Wide shot looking SW. Artavia Drainage Ditch heading toward LMI Moorehead mine. West Fork is at far edge of mine in trees.Water from ditch goes into one pond and makes a right turn into another, then……spills out into the West Fork via a pipe or overflow swale.West Fork in foreground runs toward the right and Humble/Kingwood Area.
Second Development’s Drainage
On the opposite side of the West Fork, upstream just south of the Grand Parkway, another new development is expanding near Woodson’s Reserve.
Red dot represents location of helicopter when taking the two shots immediately below.Part of expansionA small part of the clearing. Note drainage ditch on right (not fully completed).Close up of the far end of the shot above.Looking east. West Fork is in trees on far side of mine.
The developer could make the ditch go around the mine. But around would be an expensive proposition. Right now, the ditch ends a half mile from the river.
Going around would add another 2 miles. Plus, to reach the river, the ditch would have to make a sharp U-turn and cut across a series of properties owned by other entities. So, I’m fairly confident that’s NOT the plan.
Looking north across mine. Red X marks current end of ditch. West Fork is on right.
This mine stretches two miles north to south and a half mile east to west.
Concerns of Hydrologists
The two hydrologists who returned my calls both spoke on condition of anonymity. They expressed concerns about the potential for sedimentation and erosion created by routing subdivision drainage through sand mines.
The first acknowledged that the practice might have benefits during small rains. Sediment transported down ditches could get a chance to drop out of suspension before it reaches the river. And the ponds might provide some small floodwater retention benefit, too.
However, he also felt that in large floods the higher volume and speed of the water could churn up sediment in the pond and flush it downstream.
The second hydrologist worried about pressure on the mines’ dikes. He cited the potential for breaches and the risk of sediment escaping into the West Fork and onto neighboring properties.
He also worried about erosion of the loose, sandy soils. Already, he said, you can see significant erosion where they are trying to shore up roadways. He remembered the 56 million gallon spill from the LMI Moorehead mine that turned the West Fork white with sludge. He also remembered how LMI tried to blame it on Artavia at the time.
Confluence of Spring Creek and West Fork. TCEQ alleged that Liberty Mines discharged 56 million gallons of white waste water into the West Fork.Liberty blamed Artavia for flooding the mine. Photo taken 11/04/2019.
I couldn’t find any academic papers written about routing subdivision drainage through mines. Montgomery County may be breaking new ground, so to speak.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/22
1791 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.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220722-RJR_0283.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2022-07-25 19:12:032022-07-26 07:25:30New Subdivisions Now Routing Drainage Through, Toward West Fork Sand Mines
The Hand of Sand Miners on the San Jacinto
The hand of sand miners weighs heavily on the San Jacinto watershed. Not all miners. But many.
While exploring the river basin by helicopter last week, the contrast between two scenes struck me: 1) The natural blanket of green in Lake Houston Wilderness Park. 2) Sand mines that lined the banks of the East and West Forks for miles.
The trees and natural wetlands inhibit floods. They slow floodwaters down, hold them back during heavy rains, and reduce erosion. The sand mines do not. They may provide some floodwater detention, but the pits are often filled to the brim and their dikes often break.
How you treat the land determines how it treats you. Especially during floods. This aerial photo essay shows how the San Jacinto River Basin used to look and how it looks today.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Peach and Caney Creeks border Lake Houston Wilderness Park on the west. The San Jacinto East Fork borders it on the east. The shot below represents the way the whole Lake Houston area used to be.
Compare That With These Shots
This first provides a direct comparison.
Below, note the difference in water levels between the creek and mine. No doubt, you also noticed a difference in water color. That bright blue/green in the mine water likely comes from high chloride levels.
More Mine Photos from West Fork
I’ll provide five more shots here, all from the West Fork San Jacinto. They represent more than 500 similar shots I took on 7/22/22.
No Swimming
When I see all this environmental degradation, my mind starts swimming – despite the scary water.
The sand makes concrete. It supports growth. But is all growth good?
Cycle Continues
I encourage rebuttals from any mine owner who wishes to address these questions.
Posted by Bob Rehak on July 27, 2022
1793 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.
Controversial Colony Ridge Development Doubles in Size
The Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, aka the world’s largest trailer park, has more than doubled in size in the last 3 years. Measurements in Google Earth show that Colony Ridge, which started clearing land in 2012, has expanded from approximately 8,000 acres in 2019 to almost 20,000 acres today. To put that in perspective, Kingwood comprises approximately 14,000 acres and took more than 40 years to build out.
Growing Pains
But the rapid growth of Colony Ridge has not come without pain:
Consequences of Poor Construction Practices
As a result of such drainage issues and exposed soils, more sediment flows downstream than otherwise would. This contributed to sediment buildups on the San Jacinto East Fork (see below). Those, in turn, reduce conveyance and contribute to downstream flooding – unless the public continues to spend millions on dredging.
Still Not Following Best Practices
Aerial photos taken on 7/22/2022 with Ken Williams and Bill Callegari, two fellow members of the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force, show the current state of the development and construction practices in Colony Ridge. Sadly, not much has improved. For instance, the developer still piles dirt on the edge of ditches without protecting them with silt fences.
Water shooting down the ditch above created a major headache during Harvey. See below.
FM 1010 Still Washed Out
Floodwater from the ditch washed out FM 1010. This major N/S thoroughfare still needs repair…five years later!
Photos Showing New Development
If there’s good news in these photos, it is that the developer appears to be leaving more natural ground cover in the newest areas. Still, without vegetation on the sides of ditches, without better construction practices, excess sediment could continue washing into the Lake Houston Area for years to come.
Ever Widening Circles
These images support the need to harmonize and enforce higher drainage standards throughout the region. Without change two things will happen:
Will we continue to repeat mistakes of the past in ever widening circles? Will we continue to sow the seeds of future flooding? Or will we wake up to the fact that we are all part of one giant community?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/23/2022
1792 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.
New Subdivisions Now Routing Drainage Through, Toward West Fork Sand Mines
Two new subdivisions are now routing their drainage through or toward San Jacinto West Fork sand mines.
The one already going through a mine is Artavia on the north/east side of the Westfork between FM 1314 and river.
The other is near Woodson’s Reserve on the south/west side of the river just inside the Grand Parkway (SH99). Their ditch currently stops just feet short of another sand mine.
Routing drainage through sand mines raises concerns about the potential for increasing sediment in the West Fork. Increased sediment can reduce conveyance and contribute to flooding.
Accident Waiting to Happen?
During a flyover of the West Fork on Friday 7/22/2022 with Ken Williams and Bill Callegari, two fellow members of the Harris County Community Resilience Flood Task Force, I photographed both drainage issues from the air. They gave me a queasy, “accident-waiting-to-happen” feeling.
So, I reached out to Texas A&M, the TCEQ, the Montgomery County Engineer’s office and two hydrologists to ask about about safety. I could not reach anyone at A&M, TCEQ, or the MoCo Engineer’s office. But this is vacation time.
However, the two hydrologists did express concerns. See them below the pictures.
Where Artavia Drainage Reaches Mine
The Artivia ditch approached the LMI Moorehead Mine in 2019. And reached the West Fork in the second half of 2021. Here’s how it looks today.
Second Development’s Drainage
On the opposite side of the West Fork, upstream just south of the Grand Parkway, another new development is expanding near Woodson’s Reserve.
The developer could make the ditch go around the mine. But around would be an expensive proposition. Right now, the ditch ends a half mile from the river.
Going around would add another 2 miles. Plus, to reach the river, the ditch would have to make a sharp U-turn and cut across a series of properties owned by other entities. So, I’m fairly confident that’s NOT the plan.
This mine stretches two miles north to south and a half mile east to west.
Concerns of Hydrologists
The two hydrologists who returned my calls both spoke on condition of anonymity. They expressed concerns about the potential for sedimentation and erosion created by routing subdivision drainage through sand mines.
The first acknowledged that the practice might have benefits during small rains. Sediment transported down ditches could get a chance to drop out of suspension before it reaches the river. And the ponds might provide some small floodwater retention benefit, too.
The second hydrologist worried about pressure on the mines’ dikes. He cited the potential for breaches and the risk of sediment escaping into the West Fork and onto neighboring properties.
He also worried about erosion of the loose, sandy soils. Already, he said, you can see significant erosion where they are trying to shore up roadways. He remembered the 56 million gallon spill from the LMI Moorehead mine that turned the West Fork white with sludge. He also remembered how LMI tried to blame it on Artavia at the time.
I couldn’t find any academic papers written about routing subdivision drainage through mines. Montgomery County may be breaking new ground, so to speak.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/25/22
1791 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.