The new sandbar deposited by Hurricane Harvey now forces water coming out of the drainage ditch in the background on the left to make a 90 degree left hand turn before it can reach the river. This slows the velocity of runoff and backs up water into subdivisions, like the Barrington in the background. While the sandbar looks gentle from the air it is up to 15 feet high near the ditch.
Before the floods of the last couple years, water coming out of the drainage ditch in the background had a direct path to the river. The sandbar in the foreground ended near the trees at the mouth of the ditch. The flood two years ago extended the bar past the ditch, and Harvey extended it another quarter mile.
Looking east on the West Fork of the San Jacinto (foreground). The water behind the sand bar comes from a drainage ditch that empties the western third of Kingwood. The sandbar is highest near the mouth of the ditch and reaches an estimated 15 feet.
Looking east on the West Fork of the San Jacinto at what used to be the lagoon at River Grove Park. Sand deposited by Hurricane Harvey filled in the lagoon.
Sand deposit on the north shore of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River just west of Kingwood’s River Grove Park.
Home on the north shore of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River between Forest Cove and River Grove Park.
Home on the north shore of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River between Forest Cove and River Grove Park.
Fresh sand deposits from Hurricane Harvey on the south shore of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River between Forest Cove and River Grove Park.
Fresh sand deposits from Hurricane Harvey on the south shore of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River between Forest Cove and River Grove Park.
Fresh sand covers both shores of the west fork of the San Jacinto River. Looking east toward Kingwood’s River Grove Park in the background.