Floodgate rehabilitation project underway in Brazoria County, Texas

Courtesy Photo | The crane barge “Big-T” descends upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Brazos River Floodgates in Brazoria County, Texas, to aid in the execution of the first major milestone in the Brazos River Floodgate Rehabilitation Project which is scheduled to be completed over a 10-month period.  

BRAZORIA, TX, UNITED STATES

05.11.2011

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District

BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas – On May 2, the crane barge “Big-T” descended upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Brazos River Floodgates in Brazoria County, Texas, to aid in the execution of the first major milestone in the Brazos River Floodgate Rehabilitation Project which is scheduled to be completed over a 10-month period.

This work is part of a routine 9-10 year maintenance cycle gate rehabilitation conducted by the Corps.

“During a combined effort between K & K Industries, J & S Contractors, T & T Marine Salvage, and Corps personnel from the Galveston District, ‘Big-T’ reached down a mighty hand and plucked the north and south sector gates from their hinges,” said Robert Page, lockmaster at the Brazos River Floodgates. “Each of the 90-ton sector gates along with an additional 30 tons of organic material were removed for repair and cleaning intended to restore and enhance their structural integrity and operation.”

According to Page, this project is part of a routine maintenance cycle requirement that is designed to ensure operational readiness of the water control structure and maintain compliance with the prescribed mission of the Brazos River Floodgates and USACE Galveston District concerning navigation along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW).

“This project is paramount in meeting our mission requirements for controlling siltation in the GIWW,” said Page. “It will help reduce the sediments deposited in the GIWW and possibly reduce district dredging costs.”

According to Page, initially with closures there will be some inconvenience to commercial customers, but the outcomes of the project such as the decreased number of future closures for corrective repairs to sector gates will provide much better service for commercial customers.

“The inconveniences for fisherman and pleasure boaters will pale in comparison to the enhanced water quality and clarity by limiting silt and sediments into the GIWW and the adjacent Brazos River,” said Page.

The Brazos River Floodgates facilitates the passage of more than 800 commercial vessels on average per month with twice as many pleasure boaters and fisherman during the same period.

For lock status information, please call [phone].

• Date Taken: 05.11.2011
• Date Posted: 05.11.2011 16:34
• Story ID: 70233
• Location: BRAZORIA, TX, US