Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hoping To Take A Sunset Bike Ride At River Legacy Park, But Not On The Mountain Bike Trails

You are looking at a flooded River Legacy Park the time previous to the most recent flooding. The most recent flooding was worse than the previous one.

I learned today that the water has receded enough to re-open the park to pedaling on the paved trails.

Which I think I will do in a couple hours.

I also learned today, via a report from Glenn, on the DORBA (Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association) website, that the damage to the mountain bike trail is extensive. Some flooding may need to be pumped out, some areas have been totally altered, some basically destroyed.

A lot of work has gone into making the River Legacy Park Mountain Bike Trail. All voluntary. I believe the work to repair the trail starts this weekend.

The second picture is also from the last flood. The Trinity pushed hard against the new, at that time, pedestrian/bike bridge across the river. But the bridge held. I am assuming the bridge held up against the most recent flood, as well.

It will be interesting to see what I am going to see on my sunset ride tonight. I hope I see at least one firefly.

Below is Glenn's report, of the areas he was able to assess, of the damage to the River Legacy Park Mountain Bike Trail....

Well, I was able to navigate about two and a half miles of the trail today. So here is your Tuesday update.

The creek crossing bridge is out but was retained by the chain.

The old original drops through the creek bed are seriously muddy and silted but have no significant erosion.

EKG is off line completely. Even the bypass is seriously muddy. The climb to the top of the ridge that drops into the EKG exit is eroded and obstructed.

The EKG entrance is a total bog with water more than a foot deep. The EKG exit is totally blocked. I don't know about the rest of the loop.

The bridge into South loop appears to be undercut and the waterline in the adjacent undergrowth indicates that the water was four to five feet over the bridge.

The concrete crossing that served as the South Loop exit is gone.

The trail from south loop up and over Ricks Ridge is not eroded but is littered with tree falls, rubble and debris.

Starting about 100 yards from the top of the ridge the trail is a running water path and was impassable.

On the inbound side there is standing water beginning about two hundred yards west of the evacuation road. with various obstructions along the way.

The Tree Bridge Loop (noted for the wooden ramp over a large tree) is totally blocked on the entrance side, the ramp and associated tree, have been moved down trail and are now out of line with the trail. The exit to this loop is also mostly blocked.

The trail from the Tree Bridge loop back to the Majestic Oak Corner is in good shape but with much debris to be moved.

Oak that has has it's roots undercut and is leaning at a sharp angle over the trail. I doubt that it will make it until the Workday.

The Majestic Oak Corner is a wreck. Totally blocked on the entrance side and a mess on the exit.

Gordon's loop is partially blocked at the entrance and is a deep pond at the back with the trail being totally under water for some distance.

It appears that the water was at least briefly, several feet deep in the parking lot and across the entrance and exits to the trail. The Kiosk shows signs that the water got as high as the bottom of the posting box (i hope i kept copies of that stuff). There are large trees that have floated into the picnic table area, and the water line in the adjacent underbrush indicated significantly high water completely across the lot.

What I don't know....

I suspect, but don't know, that the Prairie Loop is a muddy mess for now with some sections in the west end likely under water.

I am told that some sections of North Loop may be part of a small lake that has formed and according to Parks Mgr. Armando may have to be pumped out.

Glenn

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