Tag Archive for: Dredging Update

February East Fork Mouth Bar Dredging Update

Since last month, dredgers have removed one island and have started on another in the massive complex of sand bars laid down during Harvey and Imelda on the San Jacinto East Fork where it meets Lake Houston.

Current Location

Another island in the San Jacinto East Fork Mouth Bar complex.
Another island in the San Jacinto East Fork Mouth Bar complex is being dredged away. Photo taken on Sunday afternoon, 2/20/22. Looking downstream toward Lake Houston.

The sand bar already eliminated was toward the top and left side of the frame above. It stretched almost 2000 feet.

Now dredgers are focusing on the giant bar in the middle above.

Mouth Bar Complex in 2020 Before Start of Dredging

The shot below, taken from the opposite direction, helps put things in perspective.

East Fork Mouth Bar
Looking upstream at the East Fork Mouth Bar complex in March 2020 before dredging. The bar dredgers already eliminated is the bright white one in the foreground. Now they’re working on the one farther upriver and to the left.

More Current Shots Taken Today

East Fork Mouth Bar Complex
Looking NE at dredging in the East Fork Mouth Bar Complex. It looks like they may have started here and moved elsewhere for some reason. Photo taken 2/20/22.
This shot more than the others, gives one a feeling for the immensity of the task.

Long Range Dredging Plan

The City of Houston’s purchasing website does not indicate whether the City has yet awarded the project to develop a long range dredging plan. Last month, the purchasing agent for the City, Bridget Cormier, stated that “The City has not yet made a decision, nor a recommendation for award yet.” She explained, “We are still in the evaluation phase and have requested additional information from suppliers that moved forward in the process.” 

It took three months just for contractors to dredge their way through the Royal Shores channel to get to East Fork (July, August, September 2021). East Fork dredging started in October last year. Spoils are currently being ferried back to land south of the West Fork, opposite River Grove Park. There it dries before TexDoT hauls it away for use in roadbuilding.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/20/2022

1636 Days since Hurricane Harvey