Texas Department Of Transportation Announces
San Bernard River Mouth Plans
What do you see as the
future of the San Bernard River? Friends
Of the River San Bernard (F.O.R. San
Bernard)
see it as a
legacy to future generations in
Brazoria County. The San Bernard River
affects all the communities west of the
Brazos and many other people throughout the
county – and state - who have enjoyed
fishing, skiing or just a scenic sunset
glistening on the water. The San Bernard
River's mouth closure also negatively
impacts the currents at the west gates of
the Brazos in the Intracoastal Canal,
causing costly delays and damages for barge
traffic navigating the gates. That fact
initiated action by Texas Department of
Transportation (who is responsible for the
Intracoastal Canal in
Texas) to alleviate
the problems at the flood gates.
F.O.R.’s River Mouth Chairman, Roy Edwards,
was contacted by TxDOT representative for
this project, Jennifer Moczygemba early in
October requesting an investigational field
trip to the mouth. F.O.R. was more than
happy to comply with TxDOT wishes. The field
trip came together, Wednesday October 10
with about 40 representatives from the
following groups attending: TxDOT; Diana
Kile from Congressman Ron Paul’s office;
National Marine Fisheries Service; the U.S.
Corps of Engineers, Galveston office; Texas
Parks and Wildlife, Texas General Land
Office, Brazoria Co. Commissioner Donald
“Dude Payne (Pct.1), Brazoria County
Commissioner Mary Ruth Rhodenbaugh (Pct.4);
Brazoria County Engineering Dept.; Brazoria
County Flood Control; Brazoria County Parks
Dept.; the Brazoria County Shoreline
Restoration Task Force; and members of
F.O.R.’s Mouth Committee and Board of
Directors. After the field trip, F.O.R.
facilitated a meeting and luncheon for the
group at their new Community Center on C.R.
510B.
Below are TxDOT’s
plans which grew out of their interest in
alleviating the problems at the west gate of
the Brazos and were confirmed at Wednesday’s
meeting:
TxDOT has located
$300,000.00 and has set it aside to dig a
“ditch” (initial thoughts are 50
feet wide by 4 feet
deep at mean low tide (mlt) near the
original mouth location (1990) and monitor
the results. If there are positive
changes in the
currents at the west gate of the Brazos
further action may be taken. TxDOT is
currently developing the actual scope of the
work - and
alternatives - in order to perform the
necessary environmental evaluation for
dredging at that location. TxDOT’s goal is
to provide an opening that will maintain a
flow for a reasonable amount of time based
on the cost put into the project.
Once ownership issues
have been resolved and the environmental
work is complete – including public
involvement – and proper permits have been
obtained from the Corps of Engineers, TxDOT
would be able to start work. They will be
using previous Corps studies of the San
Bernard River
mouth as a starting point.
The initial funds ($300,000.00) for this
project are currently available. However,
the Commission must first review and approve
the project before expending the funds.
Depending on further project development,
additional funds may be needed for obtaining
construction easements or to cover
escalation in construction cost estimates.
The party that will actually do the dredging
is still to be determined.
So, when can we expect the first shovel of
sand to be moved? According to TxDOT, this
largely depends on ownership and the
environmental assessment and the best
estimate is a year, or longer. A start date
is finally on the horizon.
F.O.R. is working hard to restore,
protect and promote this natural habitat,
but it takes the involvement of all
governmental entities involved with this
issue. Thanks to TxDOT, another measurable
step has been taken for opening the San
Bernard River
mouth, and for the
"Singing River" -the song of the future is
being sung.
For more
information on TxDOt navigational issues,
please read the 2005-06 TxDOT report to the
Texas Legislature:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/publications/transportation_planning/giww05.pdf
Also see Navigation Issues courtesy of
Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA)
Brazos Floodgates and San Bernard River
USACE Brazos Flood Gate Status
CLICK HERE
“Life is what we make it – always has
been, always will be.” – Grandma Moses
