Neighbors in Houston's Idylwood neighborhood can once again access the meandering trail that runs along Brays Bayou. But after the flood it was a much different story. We visited the trail with Trent Rondot, Bayou Greenways Conservation and Maintenance Director.
"As the water level drops that silt is left behind,” explains Rondot. “And it lays on the trails, lays in the landscaped areas."
Listen
Rondot described the silt as a soupy mess. It has to be removed from the landscaping because it kills vegetation. And because of environmental regulations it can’t go back into the bayou. Rondot said the only option was to bring in contractors to haul it all off.
"We kind of scoop the trails as much as possible,” adds Rondot. “We haul all the silt up to the higher areas, pile it up and let it dry out a bit before we truck it off."
Rondot said they've had to do cleanup work on all of the waterways in the Bayou Greenways system. He estimates they've hauled off over 300 truckloads of silt and debris, at a cost of about a half-million dollars.
- Brays Bayou in the Idylwood neighborhood in southeast Houston. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Hike and bike trail along Brays Bayou in the Idylwood neighborhood. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Crews work on an erosion control project along Brays Bayou. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
- Brays Bayou is now within its banks, but it flooded nearby homes after Harvey came through. (Photo Credit: Gail Delaughter )
