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Mowing of the LID 15 levees, bayous, and drainage corridors has been severely delayed over the past two months.

The consistent, above-average rainfall has saturated the ground and created maintenance and safety challenges for the mowing contractor.  Unlike most infrastructure, the levees and drainage corridors are made of dirt and grass instead of concrete and steel.  LID 15 must be very cautious with maintenance activities that can create additional damage to these flood control assets.  Mowing in wet conditions with tractors can create ruts and cause other damage that impacts the integrity of the levees and blocks drainage in the ditches and swales.

The mowing contractor has started addressing the worst areas using string-trimmers and smaller mowers.  The tractors typically used in LID 15 are currently scheduled to start a complete mowing cycle over the weekend.

The Brazos River is currently at a river stage of 33 feet, but that level is forecasted to increase to 42.9 feet by Sunday, June 6.  At this elevation, the Brazos River closes the gates in the levee and restricts gravity drainage inside LID 15.  The current forecast calls for 4-6 inches of rain over the next 7 days.  The District’s pump stations have been tested, and the operators are on stand-by to run the pumps, if needed.  The latest forecast and information from the National Weather Service is included below.

Brazos River Gage at Richmond, Texas
National Weather Service

The Brazos River crested overnight at 28.8 feet due to heavy rains earlier this week.  While the Brazos will remain elevated over the next week, it will not impact drainage inside LID 15. The District is also closely monitoring tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico that has a low chance of development.  The current forecast calls for 1-3 inches of rain through the weekend.  The LID 15 pump stations have been tested, and operators are on stand-by to run the pumps, if needed.  However, the current forecast will not require the pumps to be operated. The latest forecast and information from the National Weather Service is included below.