The Transportation and Trinity River Project Committee was briefed Feb. 22 on options for the Trinity River Standing Wave structure, and possible options going forward.
In June 2011, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notified the City that the bypass channel does not meet 408 permit requirements because small boats cannot navigate upstream. On Feb. 5, 2016, the Corps sent a letter requesting a detailed schedule for removal of or modifications to the Standing Wave by March 21, 2016.
The Corps recommended that a consultant be hired to provide conceptual design and cost estimates for the following options:
- Modify bypass channel to allow for two-way navigation
- Partial removal of by-pass channel and/or wave structure
- Remove all wave structures and by-pass channel
Construction of the Standing Wave structure was completed in 2011, funded through two bond programs: $563,481 from 1998 Trinity Proposition Bond Program and $3,595,042 from 2006 Park and Recreation Bond Program.
The construction included coffer dams for dewatering, two Standing Wave structures to control water level, a bypass channel for kayakers to avoid the waves, accessible route, boat ramps, and reinforced shoreline between wave structures for erosion control per Corps request.
Park and Recreation staff agreed to provide regular Standing Wave updates to the Park Board, with city executive staff maintaining weekly communications with the Corps of
Engineers on project status.