River Grove Park: Boat Launch Status And Hours

The River Grove boat launch has been silting in again, despite being dredged twice since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Kingwood Service Association (KSA) has been exploring additional options to address the issue, as of March 2024. As for the boat ramp, it was open as of May 12, 2020, with a water depth of 3' at the ramp, 5' at the cutout between the sandbar leaving the boat ramp, and 10-12' in the main river channel.

River Grove Boat Launch silting

The River Grove boat launch has been silting in since Hurricane Harvey in 2017, despite being dredged twice since then. Boaters have reported issues with boats running aground before reaching the main channel of the San Jacinto West Fork. This has led to an increasingly frequent need for dredging. The Kingwood Service Association (KSA) used to dredge the area in front of the docks every 8-10 years, but less than four years after the last dredging in 2020, the entrance to the river channel has already been reduced to a depth of only 1-2 feet.

The main source of the sediment is likely upriver, rather than from the Diversion Ditch, as the area immediately in front of the docks has more depth than where the channel reaches the river. KSA presented the results of a hydrographic survey to its member associations at a Parks Committee Meeting on March 7, 2024. While no immediate action was taken, members agreed that additional dredging proposals needed to be explored.

The frequent silting at River Grove boat launch is causing issues for boaters and anglers who use the site. Similar to the issues seen at Oak Creek's Bender Park boat launch, where siltation has caused a grounding hazard and turned users away. The need for frequent dredging at River Grove is becoming a concern for those who use the facility, and action is needed to address the issue and prevent further disruptions to boaters and anglers.

The Kingwood Service Association (KSA) is exploring additional options to address the silting issue at River Grove boat launch. It is important for the association to act quickly to ensure the safety of boaters and anglers who use the facility. Regular dredging is necessary to maintain a safe passage for boats, and the increasing frequency of silting is causing disruptions and potential hazards. KSA is considering proposals for additional dredging and exploring other options to address the issue comprehensively.

While the River Grove boat launch remains open, users should exercise caution due to the silting issues. Boaters and anglers should monitor the situation and stay updated with any developments or changes in conditions. It is essential to prioritize safety and be aware of the potential hazards caused by silting. KSA is working to address the issue, and users can expect updates and improvements in the near future.

Boating from River Grove Park

However, the River Grove boat launch has been silting in, with boaters reporting that their boats have run aground before reaching the main channel of the San Jacinto West Fork. This has been an ongoing issue, with dredging carried out in 2018, 2020, and as recently as 2024. Despite these efforts, the entrance to the river channel currently only has a depth of 1-2 feet. As a result, the Kingwood Service Association (KSA) is exploring additional options to address the issue.

River Grove Park water depth

River Grove Park in Kingwood, Texas, has a boat launch that has been prone to silting in recent years. The Kingwood Service Association (KSA) has been responsible for dredging the area in front of the docks every 8-10 years, with the last dredging taking place in 2020. However, less than four years later, in 2024, the boat launch started silting again, with boaters reporting that their boats were running aground before reaching the main channel.

The water depth at the boat ramp at River Grove Park varies. On May 12, 2020, the water depth at the ramp was reported to be 3 feet, with a depth of 5 feet at the cutout between the sandbar leaving the boat ramp. The main river channel had a depth of 10-12 feet, while the depth at Lake Houston Bridge was 25 feet. At Sharkys Pier, the depth was 5 feet, and entering the north side of the lake, it was 3 feet.

The varying water depths at River Grove Park can be attributed to the shifting of sand and sediment. It is recommended to exercise caution when launching boats from the park, especially after storms or heavy rainfall, as the depth of the water can change and impact the navigability of the channel.

The KSA has recognised the need to address the silting issue at River Grove Park and has conducted surveys to assess the riverbed depths. They have also committed to exploring additional dredging proposals to mitigate the problem.

River Grove Park parking

River Grove Park in Kingwood, Texas, offers a boat launch into the San Jacinto West Fork. The boat ramp was open as of May 12, 2020, with a water depth of 3' at the ramp, 5' at the cutout between the sandbar, 10-12' in the main river channel, 25' at Lake Houston Bridge, 5' at Sharkys Pier, and 3' entering the north side of the lake.

The River Grove boat launch has been silting up, requiring frequent dredging. In December 2018, the Army Corps dredged the area to open a path for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, which runs through the park, to reach the West Fork. Kayden Industries performed another dredging in 2020 to clean out sediment deposits in front of the park's riverfront boardwalk. Despite these efforts, the entrance to the river channel was reported to have only 1-2 feet of depth in early 2024, leading to boats running aground before reaching the main channel.

Regarding parking at River Grove Park, one source mentions that parking is restricted to those with a "K" sticker. However, another source from 2020 indicates that trailers and large ski boats were present in the parking lot. It is always a good idea to check the latest information and any restrictions in place for parking at River Grove Park, especially if you plan to launch a boat from the park.

River Grove Park dredging

River Grove Park's boat launch has been silting in again, despite being dredged twice since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Kingwood Service Association (KSA) has had to commission a new side-scan sonar survey due to increasingly frequent complaints of groundings. The survey showed that the entrance to the river channel has only 1-2 feet of depth, suggesting that the main source of the sediment is likely upriver.

The KSA presented the results of the survey to its member associations at a Parks Committee Meeting on March 7, 2024. The committee agreed that something needed to be done quickly and decided to look for additional dredging proposals. As of the time of writing, KSA is exploring additional options.

The River Grove boat launch was previously dredged by the Army Corps in December 2018 to open a path for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch to reach the West Fork. It was also dredged by Kayden Industries in 2020 as part of an effort to clean out sediment deposits in front of the park's riverfront boardwalk.

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