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Re-Grading: BCHS/Schoolview Drive Ditch

You may have noticed recent work on the drainage ditch near Bridge City High School and Schoolview Drive. We’ve completed re-grading of this existing ditch to improve stormwater flow and help reduce flooding in the area.

Why Was This Work Done?

Re-grading the ditch helps to ensure that rainwater flows away from the high school and surrounding areas more effectively. This helps prevent water from pooling and reduces the risk of damage during heavy storms.

How Does This Help?

By improving the flow of stormwater, we are reducing the risk of flooding for Bridge City High School, as well as for nearby homes and businesses. This proactive maintenance helps to protect our properties and keep our community safe.

Where Does The Water Go?

The ditch is an important part of our local watershed, draining into the Neches River and Cow Bayou. The re-grading project ensures that stormwater is managed responsibly and safely returned to the environment.

We’re committed to maintaining and improving our community’s infrastructure. Thank you for your patience as we completed this important work!

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SE TEXAS R.A.I.N. Gauge Maintenance

Learn how Southeast Texas rain gauges are maintained as part of the SE TEXAS R.A.I.N. network. See how OCDD and Lamar University ensure accurate flood monitoring and real-time rainfall data for community safety.

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Sandy Creek Crossing Repair Project

On April 3, 2025 the project at the Sandy Creek crossing on Old Hwy 90 was complete. This was a successful collaboration between 2 Orange County entities.

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Sabine River Debris Removal Project

On January 3, 2025, the Orange County Drainage District received a request for assistance from the Texas Department of Transportation (“TexDOT”) to remove accumulated floating debris from the Sabine River Bridge at Highway 12. The accumulated debris was placing undue stress on the bridge structure.

The District dispatched equipment to the location and removed the accumulated debris with the assistance of TexDOT and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The District removed the debris and restored water flow under the structure.

The District would like to thank TexDOT and LaDOTD for their efforts in this restoration project.

Debris located at the Sabine River Bridge and Highway 12 in Newton County, Texas

Debris removal efforts of the Orange County Drainage District at the Sabine River Bridge located on Highway 12 in Newton County, Texas.

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Drainage Improvement Project (Anderson Gully at East Railroad and Old Highway 90)

On June 4, 2024, the Orange County Drainage District, with the support of other public and private entities, completed a drainage improvement project to improve flow underneath the railroad trestle located on Anderson Gully between East Railroad and Highway 90 in Vidor, Texas. The project involved removing sediment and debris under the trestle, thereby increasing Anderson Gully’s flow and capacity.

The Orange County Drainage District would like to acknowledge KCS Railroad, the City of Vidor, and the Orange County Road and Bridge Department (Precinct No. 4) for their cooperation and assistance in completing this joint project.

The photographs below reflect the condition of the crossing prior to the project and the activities conducted by the participating entities toward the Anderson Gully drainage improvement project.

Before

Drainage Improvement Activities

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Bridge City – FM 1442 Drainage Improvement Project

The Orange County Drainage District is pleased to update our citizens on the FM 1442 Drainage Improvement Project along West Roundbunch Road in Bridge City, Texas.

This joint project involves various local entities including: the Orange County Drainage District, the Texas Department of Transportation, the City of Bridge City, and the Orange County Road and Bridge Department to provide drainage relief to various subdivisions in the City of Bridge City. The affected subdivisions include Sylvan Glades, West Gate, Meadows, Schofield Place, and Palm Ridge Additions. The drainage in these subdivisions was impaired by the inability for storm water to drain from the subdivisions , make its way across FM 1442 (West Roundbunch Road) and into the Colonial Outfall Ditch, ultimately being discharged into the Neches River. The District previously completed an extensive clearing of the existing Colonial Outfall Ditch to increase capacity and speed of discharge of accumulated storm water into the Neches River.

The District also wants to acknowledge the Bridge City Independent School District and the Common Ground Community Church for providing essential easements to the Orange County Drainage District in support of this drainage relief project. Without their efforts, this project would not have been possible.

The District and its local partners designed the Bridge City FM 1442 Drainage Improvement Project to provide drainage improvements during significant rain events (when the ditch adjacent to the north side of FM 1442 becomes full). During these high-intensity rain events, the project allows storm water to flow underneath FM 1442 into the existing Colonial Outfall Ditch (which also drains the Meadowlawn Subdivision), and, ultimately, to the Neches River.

The photographs below depict the District’s progress on the project. As of July 19, 2023, the District has completed the backfilling and covering the installed culverts before the commencement of the new school Bridge City ISD school year.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.