Report from the District Engineer (Odyssey Engineering Group)
PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Bullhead Slough Rehabilitation
The District is dredging silt out of Bullhead Slough and rehabilitating the side slopes which have eroded over time. Project includes installing ShoreSox product at the water’s edge to stabilize and prevent future erosion.
Project includes eastern and middle sections of Bullhead. Rehabilitation of the western section (nearest Mason Road) of Bullhead will be performed in the future with construction likely to begin in first quarter of 2021.
Contractor is complete with Phase 1 rehabilitation with only project clean up remaining.
Residents are reminded that, until contractor is completely demobilized, this will be an active construction site. DO NOT enter construction site at any time. Unauthorized access to the construction area places the unauthorized visitor and construction crews at risk.
Improvements to Raw Water Tanks at Surface Water Treatment Plant
The District is installing a floating mixer in each of the raw water storage tanks at the Surface Water Treatment Plant located off Skinner Road. The mixers create constant movement in the raw water to limit sediment from settling to the bottom of the tank. In addition, stairs and walkways are being installed as part of this project to improve operator access to the tanks.
Project is under construction. Sediment in the west tank has been removed contractor will remobilize to complete construction on the project.
Electrical Improvements and Generator at Water Plant No. 2
The District is updating the electrical system including installation of a new generator at water plant no. 2 (located near the elevated storage tank).
Construction is nearing completion and the water plant is expected to be placed back in service in October.
North Pump Station Improvements
The District is improving the access to the north pump station by adjusting the headwall and grading modifications. Project also includes automation of the pumps based on level of water in Bullhead Slough. The intent of this improvement is that if heavy rains cause water in Bullhead Slough to rise to a predetermined level and Oyster Creek is too high to allow gravity flow, the pumps will come on automatically and remove flood water into Oyster Creek (no manual intervention required).
Construction activity is nearing completion and expected to be fully complete in early October.
Improvements at Water Plant No. 3
The District is modifying the pumps and piping system at water plant no. 3 (located at the end of Willow Bend Dr.).
Notice to Proceed has been issued. Contractor will mobilize in October to begin construction operations.
Completed Projects
Since the residents approved the bond authorization in 2018, the District has completed (or is nearing completion) of the following projects.
Upcoming Capital Improvement Projects
The following projects are included in the new fiscal year budgets and were authorized by the District to commence:
- Automatic Transfer Switch for Water Plant 1 & Water Well 5
Project includes installation of necessary components to allow the connection of a portable generator to provide electricity to the facilities, if the electrical grid is not providing the required electricity.
- Epoxy Repairs on Structural Levee
Project includes regrouting and applying of epoxy to maintain the structural levee walls in the District.
- Bullhead Slough – Phase Two
Project will dredge and rehabilitate the side slopes of the portion of Bullhead Slough between Oyster Creek and Farmer Road.
- Main Channel Clean Out – Phase Two and Three
Project includes dredging of the main drainage channel between Pitts Road and Plantation Road and the South Pump Station, located at F.M. 359
- Purchase of Water-Gate Barriers
District will purchase additional temporary flood fighting features to aid in deployment in key areas around the levee, specifically along FM 359.
The District has identified the following locations for deployment of the Water-gate barriers in the event of rising Brazos River flood waters:
- Across F.M. 359 approximately 500-feet north of the intersection with Plantation Drive
- Across F.M. 359 approximately 2,000-feet south of the intersection with Plantation Drive (just south of the Campanile at Jones Creek Senior Living Center
- Across access road to District’s wastewater treatment facility
- Across Southern Place Drive
Water-gate barriers will only be deployed in accordance with the District’s approved Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
The Water-gate barriers have many benefits and make deployment easier. You can visit this website (http://www.hydroresponse.com/watergate.htm) to witness how the water-gate barriers work in rising flood waters.
Levee Survey
District will engage a surveyor to perform a full topographic survey of the levee, including redundant levee, structural levee and related storm sewer.