Trip report for travel to Big Thicket National Preserve, March 19-20, 2007.

Martin, Michael; Braumiller, Sue; Reber, John

Introduction: Natural Resource Program Center (WASO-WRD) and Intermountain Regional Office (IMR) staff traveled to Big Thicket National Preserve to meet with local county representatives and park staff to perform an on-site reconnaissance of timber blow-down from Hurricane Rita, and its potential to increase flooding conditions in a local community, Pinewood Estates. After traveling to the park on Monday, we met with park staff and Third precinct Commissioner, Mr. Ken pelt for Hardin County, Texas, to discuss the issue, background, and possible treatment options. After the initial meeting we visited the community of Pinewood Estates where flooding frequency has reportedly increased in recent times, and observed the Little Pine Island Bayou (LPIB), the water course in question, at several locations. On Tuesday we met with a local river guide to float LPIB between Pinewood Estates and the confluence with Big Pine Island Bayou (BPIB) about 5 river miles downstream. The purpose of directly accessing the bayou was to identify and locate any substantial channel obstructions, specifically woody debris material that could possibly contribute to a backwater effect and increase upstream flood elevations. Additionally, we performed a general assessment of the hydraulic conveyance capacity of the channel and floodplain in its present state.