I’ve posted dozens of times about the dangers of mining in floodways. A local canoeist, Don Harbour, Jr., paddled down the West Fork of the San Jacinto twice during the last flood. He says he saw three breaches in one sand mine. The water was moving too fast to get pictures of all three, he says, but he did manage to get several shots. They eloquently illustrate the dangers of mining so close to the river.
Harbour, Jr. says he paddled by this mine on Saturday, December 8, and noticed water rushing into it.
River breaching into mine. Photo courtesy of Don Harbour, Jr.
The following Wednesday, December 12, he paddled down the river again and saw the reverse.
Sand mine sending sediment into river as flood went down. Photo courtesy of Don Harbour, Jr.
On that same trip, he photographed the owners frantically trying to plug the leaks in dangerous conditions.
Repairs to other breaches. Photo courtesy of Don Harbour, Jr.
Altogether, Harbour, Jr. says he saw three breaches in one mine in one week.
I have seen video of a fourth breach at the same mine last August. It appeared as though it was created with a backhoe. Six months later, the TCEQ says it is still investigating the August breach.
When Pro Business Means No Business, It’s Time to Rethink Mining in Floodways
Breaches allow the escape of sand and silt. They contribute to the buildup of sediment dams in the river. Those then contribute to downstream flooding.
When a rain that averaged only 5 inches across the watershed breaches the dike of one mine three times in one week, it’s time to rethink mining in floodways.
Such dangerous business practices can reduce growth.
The growth rate in the Humble ISD this past year dropped from 6% to 1% due to flooding, in part, caused by sedimentation.
44% of the businesses in the Lake Houston Chamber were damaged or destroyed during Harvey.
100% of the businesses in Kingwood Town Center and Kings Harbor were damaged or destroyed.
Move Miners Back from River
We don’t want to drive miners out of state; we just need them to move out of the floodway.
We don’t allow unsafe vehicles on the road. Why do we allow unsafe mining on the river?
Here’s the dike of another mine farther upriver. I took this picture shortly after Harvey. But the same dike breached again during the July 4th flood this year.
Sand mines on the West Fork come right up to the river where floodwaters repeatedly breach dikes.
Texas is the only state that has no minimum setbacks of mines from rivers. In contrast, Alaska allows no mining within 1,000 feet of a public water source. Other states and countries establish erosion hazard zones taking into account factors such as:
Many geologists and engineers believe erosion hazard zones represent a safer approach to determining setbacks.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 21, 2018
479 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Harbour3.jpg?fit=750%2C587&ssl=1587750adminadmin2018-12-21 06:00:272018-12-21 06:18:21Sand Mine Dike Breached 3 Times in 1 Week During Minor Flood
Mike Eberle, a local entrepreneur owns Lakeside Plumbing, Gulf Coast Raceway and Mike’s Hobby Shop in Porter just off 494 on Knox. He arrived at work on December 8th to find his plumbing business flooded and his other two businesses surrounded by water.
Ditch Backing Up
This time, the culprit wasn’t Harvey or the San Jacinto River; Eberle’s businesses lie more than 3.5 miles from the river. It was someone who built a needless road over a drainage ditch. Because the capacity of the culvert under the road did not match the capacity of culverts farther up the ditch, water backed up for blocks. It flooded surrounding properties including homes, businesses and a church.
Properties flooded by constriction of drainage ditch. Photo by Mike Eberle. Flooded lot at Gulf Coast Raceway. Mike’s Hobby Shop and Lakeview Plumbing are on same property in background. Photo by Mike Eberle. Nearly submerged mailboxes show depth of flooding. Photo by Mike Eberle.
The Ditch Constriction
According to Eberle’s son, TexDoT permitted the Road to Nowhere (see below), which Eberle dubbed “The Porter Dam.” Eberle’s son says TexDoT told him that the permit should never have been issued. Supposedly, TexDoT will rip the road out on Friday, December 21. This should make an early and welcome Christmas gift to the neighbors up-ditch who flooded.
The Road to Nowhere crosses a ditch only to end at a detention pond. Photo taken after flood.
On the Road to Nowhere, Eberle looked up the ditch toward his property during the flood. Below is what he saw – water everywhere.
Above the ditch, water backed up for blocks.
Below the ditch…he saw a much different story.
Below the ditch, looking south, the water level was much lower, proving that construction constricted the flow.
Several days after the floodwater receded, you could see why, Note the size of the culverts above the road. In contrast, here’s what the culvert under the Road to Nowhere looks like.
The new culvert has much less capacity.
Property Owner
According to the Montgomery County Appraisal District, the Road to Nowhere is on property owned by Randal A Tr Hendricks, 400 Randal Way in Spring. Hendricks Interests, LLC, also at that address, promotes itself as a developer of residential and commercial properties and has been doing business since 1978. Hendricks currently lists eleven pad sites for sale in the Kroger Center at North Park and 59, slightly south of the Road to Nowhere.
One can only speculate why someone would build a useless road that backed water up onto neighbor’s property.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/20/2018
478 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Eberle-Flood.jpg?fit=1500%2C1125&ssl=111251500adminadmin2018-12-20 16:26:312018-12-20 17:06:05The Porter Dam: Road to Nowhere (Except Flooding)
Good news for residents. Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers and its contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, finished dredging the area up to the boat dock at River Grove Park. However, because of the size of the hydraulic dredge, it could not quite finish the job. So on Monday, the contractor returned with mechanical dredging equipment to work in the tight drainage ditch area by the boat dock. See the photo below courtesy of Don Harbour.
Mechanical dredging equipment was able to maneuver into the tight location that the hydraulic dredge could not. Photo courtesy of Don Harbour, a local resident.
The Kingwood Service Association also requested the Corps to reduce the angle on the edge of the remaining side bar. Young people frequently played on the bar. Community leaders were concerned that a cave in near the steep edge could cause a bad accident.
Contractors scraped back edge of sand bar to prevent cave-ins caused by curious kids.
As you can see from the edge of the bar in the photo above, the Corps has addressed that issue.
This afternoon when I visited the park, I saw a survey boat checking to ensure the contractors had reached the proper depth.
Survey boat checks for proper depth while mechanical dredge stands by.
Multiple Activities Create Hazards for Recreational Boaters
The River Grove area today was busier than Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve. However, the main focus of dredging activity will soon move east. Dredge #1, operated by subcontractor Callan Marine is now working close to the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge. Dredge #2, operated by Great Lakes, is now operating just east of River Grove (see point #4 in photo below).
The river is busy. Stay off it for your own safety.
From the boat dock today, I saw five different clusters of activity in different areas: 1) survey boat, 2) mechanical dredge, 3) debris removal on far side of river, 4) Hydraulic dredge moving towards the country club, and 5) a back hoe removing vegetation from the triangular sand dune in the distance.
Both dredges will continue to work their way east until they reach their respective goals.
Latest Schedule
The Corps’ schedule originally called for completion in mid-April 2019. However, crews have been delayed by recent storms and floods, as well as greater than expected sedimentation in the river. Their most recent schedule calls for completion by April 30 and demobilization during the first two weeks of May.
Status of Mouth Bar Project Still Uncertain
Everyone I talk to hopes FEMA and the Corps will grant approval for a second project that addresses the huge sand bar at the mouth of the West Fork before this project reaches completion. If that does not happen, demobilization and remobilization at a future date would cost about $18 million.
The “Mouth Bar,” a giant sand bar that blocks the West Fork of the San Jacinto, backing the river up into Kingwood and Humble. The mouth bar is not within the scope of the current Army Corps dredging project, but officials have been trying to get FEMA and the Corps to include it. Water depth is generally 1-3 feet around this bar. Max channel depth in places is just 5 feet.
Sources in Austin expected an announcement weeks ago on the mouth bar. Congressman Ted Poe requested a meeting with the head of the Army Corps to discuss the project. However, the meeting originally scheduled for November 28th was delayed into next year. That means Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw will inherit the battle. Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz has thrown the weight of his office behind the effort to dredge the mouth bar.
Corps to Meet with Super Neighborhood Council Wednesday Night
Eduardo Irigoyen, the project manager of the Emergency West Fork Dredging Project (the dredging currently underway), will meet with the Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council tomorrow night. The meeting at the Kingwood Community Center starts at 7PM. Mr. Irigoyen will update local leaders on the status of the Corps’ project. The meeting is open to the public, but seating is very limited.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 18, 2018
476 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DonHarbour-1.jpg?fit=1500%2C1275&ssl=112751500adminadmin2018-12-18 19:58:142018-12-18 19:58:22Corps Finishing Touch-Up Dredging at River Grove, Moving Downriver
Sand Mine Dike Breached 3 Times in 1 Week During Minor Flood
I’ve posted dozens of times about the dangers of mining in floodways. A local canoeist, Don Harbour, Jr., paddled down the West Fork of the San Jacinto twice during the last flood. He says he saw three breaches in one sand mine. The water was moving too fast to get pictures of all three, he says, but he did manage to get several shots. They eloquently illustrate the dangers of mining so close to the river.
Harbour, Jr. says he paddled by this mine on Saturday, December 8, and noticed water rushing into it.
The following Wednesday, December 12, he paddled down the river again and saw the reverse.
On that same trip, he photographed the owners frantically trying to plug the leaks in dangerous conditions.
Altogether, Harbour, Jr. says he saw three breaches in one mine in one week.
I have seen video of a fourth breach at the same mine last August. It appeared as though it was created with a backhoe. Six months later, the TCEQ says it is still investigating the August breach.
When Pro Business Means No Business,
It’s Time to Rethink Mining in Floodways
Breaches allow the escape of sand and silt. They contribute to the buildup of sediment dams in the river. Those then contribute to downstream flooding.
When a rain that averaged only 5 inches across the watershed breaches the dike of one mine three times in one week, it’s time to rethink mining in floodways.
Such dangerous business practices can reduce growth.
Move Miners Back from River
We don’t want to drive miners out of state; we just need them to move out of the floodway.
Here’s the dike of another mine farther upriver. I took this picture shortly after Harvey. But the same dike breached again during the July 4th flood this year.
Texas is the only state that has no minimum setbacks of mines from rivers. In contrast, Alaska allows no mining within 1,000 feet of a public water source. Other states and countries establish erosion hazard zones taking into account factors such as:
Many geologists and engineers believe erosion hazard zones represent a safer approach to determining setbacks.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 21, 2018
479 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The Porter Dam: Road to Nowhere (Except Flooding)
Mike Eberle, a local entrepreneur owns Lakeside Plumbing, Gulf Coast Raceway and Mike’s Hobby Shop in Porter just off 494 on Knox. He arrived at work on December 8th to find his plumbing business flooded and his other two businesses surrounded by water.
Ditch Backing Up
This time, the culprit wasn’t Harvey or the San Jacinto River; Eberle’s businesses lie more than 3.5 miles from the river. It was someone who built a needless road over a drainage ditch. Because the capacity of the culvert under the road did not match the capacity of culverts farther up the ditch, water backed up for blocks. It flooded surrounding properties including homes, businesses and a church.
The Ditch Constriction
According to Eberle’s son, TexDoT permitted the Road to Nowhere (see below), which Eberle dubbed “The Porter Dam.” Eberle’s son says TexDoT told him that the permit should never have been issued. Supposedly, TexDoT will rip the road out on Friday, December 21. This should make an early and welcome Christmas gift to the neighbors up-ditch who flooded.
On the Road to Nowhere, Eberle looked up the ditch toward his property during the flood. Below is what he saw – water everywhere.
Below the ditch…he saw a much different story.
Several days after the floodwater receded, you could see why, Note the size of the culverts above the road. In contrast, here’s what the culvert under the Road to Nowhere looks like.
Property Owner
According to the Montgomery County Appraisal District, the Road to Nowhere is on property owned by Randal A Tr Hendricks, 400 Randal Way in Spring. Hendricks Interests, LLC, also at that address, promotes itself as a developer of residential and commercial properties and has been doing business since 1978. Hendricks currently lists eleven pad sites for sale in the Kroger Center at North Park and 59, slightly south of the Road to Nowhere.
One can only speculate why someone would build a useless road that backed water up onto neighbor’s property.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/20/2018
478 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Corps Finishing Touch-Up Dredging at River Grove, Moving Downriver
Good news for residents. Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers and its contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, finished dredging the area up to the boat dock at River Grove Park. However, because of the size of the hydraulic dredge, it could not quite finish the job. So on Monday, the contractor returned with mechanical dredging equipment to work in the tight drainage ditch area by the boat dock. See the photo below courtesy of Don Harbour.
The Kingwood Service Association also requested the Corps to reduce the angle on the edge of the remaining side bar. Young people frequently played on the bar. Community leaders were concerned that a cave in near the steep edge could cause a bad accident.
As you can see from the edge of the bar in the photo above, the Corps has addressed that issue.
This afternoon when I visited the park, I saw a survey boat checking to ensure the contractors had reached the proper depth.
Multiple Activities Create Hazards for Recreational Boaters
The River Grove area today was busier than Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve. However, the main focus of dredging activity will soon move east. Dredge #1, operated by subcontractor Callan Marine is now working close to the West Lake Houston Parkway Bridge. Dredge #2, operated by Great Lakes, is now operating just east of River Grove (see point #4 in photo below).
From the boat dock today, I saw five different clusters of activity in different areas: 1) survey boat, 2) mechanical dredge, 3) debris removal on far side of river, 4) Hydraulic dredge moving towards the country club, and 5) a back hoe removing vegetation from the triangular sand dune in the distance.
Both dredges will continue to work their way east until they reach their respective goals.
Latest Schedule
The Corps’ schedule originally called for completion in mid-April 2019. However, crews have been delayed by recent storms and floods, as well as greater than expected sedimentation in the river. Their most recent schedule calls for completion by April 30 and demobilization during the first two weeks of May.
Status of Mouth Bar Project Still Uncertain
Everyone I talk to hopes FEMA and the Corps will grant approval for a second project that addresses the huge sand bar at the mouth of the West Fork before this project reaches completion. If that does not happen, demobilization and remobilization at a future date would cost about $18 million.
Sources in Austin expected an announcement weeks ago on the mouth bar. Congressman Ted Poe requested a meeting with the head of the Army Corps to discuss the project. However, the meeting originally scheduled for November 28th was delayed into next year. That means Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw will inherit the battle. Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz has thrown the weight of his office behind the effort to dredge the mouth bar.
Corps to Meet with Super Neighborhood Council Wednesday Night
Eduardo Irigoyen, the project manager of the Emergency West Fork Dredging Project (the dredging currently underway), will meet with the Kingwood Super Neighborhood Council tomorrow night. The meeting at the Kingwood Community Center starts at 7PM. Mr. Irigoyen will update local leaders on the status of the Corps’ project. The meeting is open to the public, but seating is very limited.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 18, 2018
476 Days since Hurricane Harvey