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Tag: drainage improvements

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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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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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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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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 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 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.

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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.

Cole Creek Project (Phase II) Prior To Improvements

Cole Creek Project (Phase II) Completion

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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.

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Susan Circle North Outfall

Orange County Drainage District makes improvements to the 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.

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F-5 Lateral Outfall

The F-5 Lateral Outfall receives storm water from Lakewood Estates, Colonial Lane Estates and surrounding areas. The current scope of work for this project includes the excavation and grading of the F-5 Lateral Outfall, from Terry Gully to Orange Street, which is depicted by the pink line in the map shown above.

The District completed this project in the middle of May, 2021.