The announcement was unexpected. The popular outdoors recreation area for active duty military members and retirees was closed in June because of torrential rains and flash floods that, by all appearances, could have been devastating.
Low-lying areas were submerged in as much as 30 to 35 feet of water, said outdoor recreation director Michael E. Mennor.
He said the damage came to $1.3 million - still a far cry from the $8 million to $9 million the Army Corps of Engineers estimates they will have to spend to repair flood damage in the lakeside parks in the Little River Project.
“The Corps has a lot of parks,” Mennor said. “We just have this one.”
Mennor said his maintenance crews completed the initial cleanup as waters receded. Fort Hood’s public works department will have to repair some heavy damage still left, such as roof planking that floated off of pavilions.
“Let me say that we are open for business with limited recreational facilities,” Mennor said. “We are instructing our customers to stay away from damaged facilities and equipment and to keep children away from it.”
The park suffered damages to seven public restrooms, three large party pavilions, more than 90 family picnic shelters, several playground sites, beaches and several marina dock facilities on the shoreline.
Areas that were not damaged are the ones reopened for use, Mennor said.
Recreational areas at higher elevations such as the cottages, the RV Park, mountain bike trails, BLORA Ranch, and their associated public restrooms are useable.
Water access is in good shape. The floating docks, such as the boat dock marina and fishing dock marina, are back in use after cleanup and minor repair as is the Carp boat ramp.
Mennor said preparing for the Nature in Lights exhibit this year had some added expenses because of the flood. Temporary road repairs, which involved laying asphalt in the most damaged spots, cost $24,000. Repair to electrical panel boxes and sewer lift stations cost another $24,000. An estimate to repave the road after Nature in Lights ends in January is $525,000 if funds are available.
To get the park ready for the light display, Mennor said he had to hire an additional 12 maintenance workers. A 12-man military detail assisted.
Dennis Bass, maintenance supervisor for the park, said the normal year-round staff for maintenance is 15 or 16.
Mennor said the effort of getting the park back on line for the winter involved several directorates working together on a short time frame. In addition to public works they included the directorates of III Corps Safety, preventive medicine and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
“Safety issues had to be addressed to ensure a safe environment,” he said.
Mennor said the situation could have been worse. During the flood of 1991, water rose more than 40 feet in the park. Total damages came to about $3.2 million. The park had to be closed for about a year.
On July 18 this year the flooding peaked when it reached 35.63 feet above conservation level (normal stage) for Lake Belton. The lake is designed to stand at 594 feet above mean sea level under customary conditions.
Mennor said it’s hard to stand by and watch the recreational areas go under water. But all that can be done is to take precautionary measures to minimize damage.
With the cleanup and minor repairs made, contracts for major repairs are in the process of being awarded, he said.
“Hopefully all should be ready to start the summer season and be back in full operation,” Mennor said.
hclark@temple-telegram.com
