Colorado river cut

[plugger]

I just heard about a proposal to make a cut from the Colorado River into SW East Matagorda Bay. It's suppose to help flooding issues, but has a hidden agenda by developers to allow easier access into the bay for further development. The non -profit group EAST MATAGORDA BAY FOUNDATION opposes the cut so as to keep East Matagorda pristine and stifle further development. Their website is www.embftx.com . That's one of the things I like about Matagorda, not much development and fewer yahoos racing around. I think it's a good cause.

[reeltime]

i'm with you plugger.....no development out there.

[coachlaw]

Hmmmm, let's see. If the Corps of Engineers is for it, it can't be a good idea.

[reeltime]

they can't even keep cedar bayou open

[Txrex]

I have actually been keeping track of this for the last year or so and, short of opening the original fish passes in East Matagorda, I believe this is the best idea for everyone involved. It also includes the removal of the dam in Parker's cut allowing access to the east end of West Matagorda from the old river channel. The system that the corp put in place to return the river flow to the bay system had side effects like high currents causing marsh and bank erosion and the silting in of the original river channel at the beach. Doing this would increase the tidal movement in both bays where the water (and fish) now have to travel 15 - 25 miles to reach the gulf. The new channels, unlike Cedar Bayou/Vinson Slough, would be lined with concrete panels to prevent wandering and to help the tidal flow scour the sediment and remain open longer. This would also increase the flow at the old river mouth (in both directions) and help to reduce the amount of silting there.

I have read a lot of reports and studies about this proposal. The people requesting that this be done are not developers. They are freight carriers and fishermen. While the locks, dams and diversion channel were good for West Matagorda bay, they have been bad for many other places and people. The corps is trying to address the concerns of the people who use the bays and waterways while trying to undo the mistakes that were made in the past. Cursing this project is akin to cursing the opening of CB/VS or the original building of rollover pass. If you have been to Mitchell's Cut @ Sargent you know what fishing can be like at an open, flowing pass.

[plugger]

I can see those benefits, but what about the potential for increased development as a result ?

[Txrex]

Frankly, I don't know...... I do know that without any changes at all, someone is still building houses along the beach east of the river.

I think that builders build and people (like us) who enjoy the coast buy what they build. If they can get the permit from the local government, they can build. Unless the State or the Feds declare your favorite fishing hole a refuge or a park it is a risk. It really is up to the folks that live in Matagorda county to elect commissioners and judges who will not issue permits if they want to stop development. In reality, any development down there is only temporary until the next hurricane.