Author: Neal Ford

in Excavation-Construction-Current Featured

Burger King Ditch Project

the District are pleased to announce the Orange County Drainage District’s Burger King Ditch Project. The project, when completed, will add approximately 14,450 feet of drainage improvements to the two (2) earthen outfall ditches (depicted in green on the map above) located south of Interstate 10 and east of Highway 62 in Orange County, Texas.

This Project was performed, at least in part, to supply additional drainage capacity to the area in anticipation of the construction of a new hospital on the land in the area. The Project is designed to work in conjunction with the various detention facilities and other drainage improvements being made as the hospital and surrounding area are developed. The Project reflects the District’s two goals of assisting with economic development within Orange County, Texas while improving and protecting existing citizens and their property from major storm events.

These two outfalls drain a significant quantity of storm water runoff from areas located both north and south of Interstate 10. The two (2) drainage structures converge southeast of Gilbeaux’s Towing (off of Highway 62) then proceed west, crossing under Highway 62 near Dempsey Road, before finally terminating into Dorman Gully.

The photographs below depict the District’s progress on this major drainage project. Check back for updates and additional photographs reflecting the Orange County Drainage District’s Burger King Ditch Project as well as other drainage improvement projects that the District is incorporating into its network of drainage structures throughout Orange County.

The District recognizes that this Project is an essential of the development of the overall area around the new hospital facility, and will provide additional drainage relief to the area as it continues to develop commercial enterprises to serve the hospital as well as the public, in general. At the same time, the Project will continue to absorb and dispose of existing water that enters the drainage structure from other areas served by the outfall ditch.

in Excavation-Construction-Completed Featured

Needles Street Outfall Project

The Needles Street Outfall Project was a joint operation between the District, Orange County and the City of Vidor, Texas.

The Needles Street Outfall drains from Longleaf Street north crossing under Hickory Street, Kent Street, then drains east crossing under Pine Shadows Street and ultimately into Anderson Gully. The project included installing a new crossing under Pine Shadows Street, and the regrading of the outfall from Anderson Gully to Longleaf Street. The very limited and restricted access caused the project to be very challenging. But with the team approach of the Orange County Drainage District, Orange County Road and Bridge, the City of Vidor and surrounding home owners, the project was successfully completed on 10/14/2021. Since the completion of the Needles Street Outfall Project, the District has continued its commitment to the citizens of the City of Vidor by successfully obtaining funding in support of drainage improvements to Tiger Creek.

The proposed Tiger Creek Improvement Project is designed to construct a 3,600 ac/ft capacity detention pond at the northern reaches of Tiger Creek (Vidor/Rose City Area). Construction shall consist of the excavation, embankment construction, and grading of approximately five million eight hundred eight thousand cubic yards (5,808,000 CY) of dirt, clearing and grubbing of four hundred fifty acres (450 AC) of land, four (4) water control features, four (4) sixty thousand gallon per minute pump units, one (1) intake structure and pump house, two hundred linear feet (200 l.f..) of sixty-inch (60″) discharge piping, erosion protection at pump discharge, and all related appurtenances. Upon completion, the existence of a detention structure will relive the pressure on existing drainage structures located within the City of Vidor, thereby providing drainage relief to all of the citizens of the City.

in Excavation-Construction-Current Featured

School House Ditch Project Phase 1

The School House Ditch originates on the east side of the intersection of I-10 and Canal Street. The outfall travels southeast crossing under Orange Street, then southwest crossing under Highway 105. The outfall then runs generally south and crosses under Old Spanish Trail, where it ultimately disperses into the marsh before flowing into the Neches River. The School House Ditch drains a significant amount of storm water runoff in the Vidor area.

The Phase 1 project involves the re-grading of the outfall (depicted in orange on the map above) from Highway 105 south to the area of the water treatment plant located off of Dogwood Drive in south Vidor. The Phase 1 project will result in approximately 8,300 feet of drainage improvements to the School House Ditch.

As stated above, the School House Ditch drains into the marsh and ultimately into the Neches River. Both the marsh and the ditch are impacted by the tidal influences affecting the Neches River.

Additional photos off the project will be added as the project progresses.

in Excavation-Construction-Completed

2021 Cow Bayou Waterway Debris Removal Project NRCS/USDA

The Orange County Drainage District commenced its Bayous Debris Removal Project, which involves primarily the removal of fallen trees and other vegetative debris from within Adams Bayou, Cow Bayou and Little Cypress Bayou. The purpose of the Project is to remove debris from these three bayous that so that drainage is not impaired within these bayous, each of which serve to drain significant portions of Orange County. The Cow Bayou Watershed originates in Jasper County, the Adams Bayou watershed originates in Newton County, and the Little Cypress Bayou watershed originates in Orange County. All three bayous drain into the Sabine River.

The District has secured grant funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to help pay for a large portion of this Project. The total cost of the Project is estimated to be approximately $1.5 million. The Drainage District has contracted with Aftermath Disaster Recovery, Inc., which provides multiple barge units equipped with grapple and saws, to assist with the Project.

The first component of the Project was the removal of the debris from Little Cypress Bayou. The Project began on Thursday, June 3, 2021 and was completed on 6/12/2021 removing more then 4200 cubic yards of debris from within Little Cypress Bayou. The scope of the Little Cypress Bayou project included removal of debris within and along Little Cypress Bayou from the Sabine River to FM 3247.

On 6/11/2021, The District commenced the second component of the project involving the removal of trees and debris from within and along Adams Bayou. The scope of work for Adams Bayou starts at FM 1006, and reaching as far north as Eight Gate Road. Pictures below are from current progress of Adams Bayou. This project is currently still in progress, Additional pictures will be posted as the project proceeds.

On 6/28/2021, The District commenced the third and final component of the project involving the removal of trees and debris from within and along Cow Bayou. The scope of work for Cow Bayou begins at Texas Ave. in Bridge City, Texas, and terminates at Highway 12 where Cow Bayou crosses underneath. Pictures will be added to this post as the project proceeds.

The Cow Bayou waterway debris removal project was completed on 7/24/2021. Aftermath the contractor that was selected to perform the job removed over 5500 cubic yards of debris. The Drainage District loaded all the debris from an upland bank, and hauled the material to the final disposal site.

in Excavation-Construction-Completed

2021 Adams Bayou Waterway Debris Removal Project NRCS/USDA

The Orange County Drainage District commenced its Bayous Debris Removal Project, which involves primarily the removal of fallen trees and other vegetative debris from within Adams Bayou, Cow Bayou and Little Cypress Bayou. The purpose of the Project is to remove this debris from these three bayous that so that drainage is not impaired within these bayous, each of which serve to drain significant portions of Orange County. The Cow Bayou Watershed originates in Jasper County, the Adams Bayou watershed originates in Newton County, and the Little Cypress Bayou watershed originates in Orange County. All three bayous drain into the Sabine River.

On 6/11/2021, The District commenced the second component of the project involving the removal of trees and debris from within and along Adams Bayou. The scope of work for Adams bayou starts at FM 1006, and reaching as far north as Eight Gate Road. Pictures below are from current progress of Adams Bayou. Additional pictures will be posted as the project proceeds.

The Adams Bayou waterway debris removal project was completed on 7/16/2021. Aftermath the contractor that was selected to perform the job removed over 12,500 cubic yards of debris. The Drainage District used internal forces to load all of the debris from an upland bank, and haul the material to the final disposal site.

in Excavation-Construction-Completed

2021 Little Cypress Bayou Waterway Debris Removal Project NRCS/USDA

The Orange County Drainage District has commenced its Bayous Debris Removal Project, which involves primarily the removal of fallen trees and other vegetative debris from within Adams Bayou, Cow Bayou and Little Cypress Bayou. The purpose of the Project is to remove this debris from these three bayous that so that drainage is not impaired within these bayous, each of which serve to drain significant portions of Orange County. The Cow Bayou Watershed originates in Jasper County, the Adams Bayou watershed originates in Newton County, and the Little Cypress Bayou watershed originates in Orange County. All three bayous drain into the Sabine River.

The first component of the Project is the removal of the debris from Little Cypress Bayou. The Project began on Thursday, June 3, 2021. The scope of the Little Cypress Bayou project (depicted in the map above) includes removal of debris within and along Little Cypress Bayou from the Sabine River to FM 3247. The photos below document the progress of the project to date. More photos will be added as they become available.

On 6/11/2021 Aftermath Disaster Recovery, Inc., and the Orange County Drainage District completed the debris removal project on Little Cypress Bayou, resulting in more then 4200 cubic yards of debris being removed from the Bayou.

in Excavation-Construction-Current Featured

Cole Creek Project Phase 2

The Cole Creek Project Phase 2 involves the regrading of Cole Creek (depicted in orange on the map above) from Interstate 10 north for more then 6 miles. In Cole Creek Project Phase 1, Cole Creek from Interstate 10 south to the rail road tracks just above Cow Bayou. Cole Creek drains into Cow Bayou causing the structure to be impacted by the conditions of the Bayou, including tidal influences.

The Cole Creek Project Phase 2 also includes the evaluation (checking for positive drainage) of each tributary to Cole Creek, that drain the surrounding areas.

Currently operations are being performed on two tributary ditches to Cole Creek. One tributary Drains from Highway 1442 to Cole Creek and is adjacent to the North side of the Southeastern Freight Lines building located off of Highway 1442. The second tributary that the District will be making improvements to drains from Highway 1442 to Cole Creek and it located on the east side of Highway 1442 across from Bland Road. Upon completion of the two tributaries referenced above the District will resume operations on Cole Creek. (Updated 8/19/2021)

The Cole Creek Drainage Improvement Project (Phase II) was successfully completed in late 2022. Please see the photographs below additional details of the nature and scope of the work performed before, and after, completion of the Project.

Cole Creek Project (Phase II) Prior To Improvements

Cole Creek Project (Phase II) Completion

in Excavation-Construction-Current Featured

Terry Gully Project Phase 2

The Terry Gully Project Phase 2 involves the regrading of Terry Gully (depicted in orange on the map above) from Interstate 10 to North Tram Road. Previously the District completed the Terry Gully Phase 1 Project whereby it improved Terry Gully from Interstate 10 south to Terry Road. Terry Gully drains into Cow Bayou causing the gully to be impacted by the conditions of the Bayou, including tidal influences.

The Terry Gully Project Phase 2 also includes the improvement by the regrading of many tributary ditches (depicted in green on the map above) to Terry Gully, that drain the surrounding areas.

Photos will be added to this post as the project progresses.

in Excavation-Construction-Current Featured

Adams Bayou/Tributaries

This is an update on the latest Orange County Drainage District maintenance of Adams Bayou and tributaries.The scope of this project is to regrade and improve a series of drainage structures in the north eastern portion of Orange County. The drainage structures include Adams Bayou (which flows from the north eastern part of Orange County to the Sabine River) as well as the many tributaries feeding Adams Bayou that assist in draining the surrounding areas. The green areas depicted on the map above indicate each ditch and drainage structure that will be involved in the improvement project.

Check back for additional updates and photos of the Orange County Drainage District maintenance of Adams Bayou and Tributaries Project.

in Excavation-Construction-Completed

Susan Circle North Outfall

Here is an update of our progress as the Orange County Drainage District makes improvements to the Susan Circle North Outfall. The North Susan Circle Outfall receives storm water from Spooner Street, Nelson Street, Tower Road, Joel Street, Louise Street and surrounding areas. The current scope of work for this project includes the excavation and grading of the Outfall, commencing work at Highway 1442, and then proceeding north and west until completion northwest of Spooner Street, as depicted by the pink line in the map shown above. Previously the District has excavated and graded the Susan Circle Outfall south of Highway 1442 to the location where it ties into the Bessie Heights Marsh. Due to the Outfall connecting to the Marsh, drainage within this Outfall is tidally influenced.

Check back for additional information and photographs as Orange County Drainage District makes improvements to the Susan Circle North Outfall ditch.