[Interim Review of Reports]: Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, White Oak Bayou, Texas Page: 43
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INTERIM REVIEW OF REPORTS ON
BUFFALO BAYOU AND TRIBUTARIES, TEXAS
WHITE OAK BAYOU
APPENDIX III
ENGINEERING AND COST DATA
1. Scope.- This appendix presents information on White Oak Bayou
pertinent to the planning of a Federal project to afford protection from
flooding between Burlington-Rock Island Railroad bridge and Cole Creek
in Houston, Texas. Data presented in this appendix relate particularly to
existing and proposed improvements, first costs, annual charges, subsurface
conditions, rights-of-way, channel construction, spoil disposal methods
and maintenance costs for the proposed flood protection improvements.
2. General.- Investigations were made to determine the best method
for providing flood protection to the reach of White Oak Bayou between
Burlington-Rock Island Railroad bridge and Cole Creek. The characteristics
of the topography and the extent of development on the upper watershed
preclude the use of a detention reservoir to control floodwater. The
extent of recent development on the upper watershed is shown on exhibits
4 and 5 of this appendix. The existing channel in this reach was enlarged
and realined by Harris County Flood Control District in 1954 and 1955,
and for a time afforded some relief from flooding in the area. Since that
time, continued development in the flood plain has increased the rates of
runoff and made the improvements inadequate. The existing channel has an_
estimated within banks capacity of 10,000 cubic feet per second at
Burlington-Rock Island Railroad bridge. Rainfall runoff producing a dis-
charge of this magnitude is estimated to have a recurrence interval of
once in about twenty years. The authorized Federal flood control project
for White Oak Bayou from the mouth to Burlington-Rock Island Railroad
bridge provides protection from the standard project storm. The character
of the urban development in the 2.1 mile upstream reach is almost identical
to that downstream from the bridge and indications are that the flood plain
will be almost fully developed within the next few years. It is believed
that no lesser degree of protection should be provided in the proposed
extension than is afforded by the authorized Federal project immediately
downstream. Accordingly, protection from a standard project flood was
established as a basic criterion for the improvement plans investigated.
A plan for enlargement of the existing earth channel to provide protection
from the standard project flood was investigated and within the practic-
able physical limitations for this type of improvement, was found to produce
discharge velocities greater than could be tolerated in the sandy type
soils that would be encountered. These velocities would cause erosion
and bank failure and maintenance costs would be excessive. Accordingly,
the channel design selected for the plan of improvement provides for a
partially lined concrete channel, essentially the same as planned for the
authorized project downstream. A summary of estimated first costs for the
plan of improvement is given in table A.43
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United States. Department of the Army. Office, Chief of Engineers. [Interim Review of Reports]: Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, White Oak Bayou, Texas, report, 1965; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1048117/m1/63/?rotate=90: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.