The Lower San Jacinto in 1979
The years between 1969 and 1979 produced a major increase in industrial development in the areas around the river.
Exxon expanded and several other petrochem industries developed in the Channelview area and although not on the
river, they depended on the San Jacinto for process water and some barge traffic.
Sand Dredging continued on a larger scale during this time period. Parker's Hole was mostly depleted of sand and the
lagoon formed was used as a barge parking lot as the last of the sand was removed. You can see the barges parked in the
center of the lagoon. Many of the barges abandoned there remain until this day. Many were swept out of the lagoon
into the swift flood waters in 1994 where they were like 100 foot by 30 foot torpedos; destroying homes, pipelines
and even damaging the I-10 bridge. Several sunken barges still remain forming deadly navigational hazards.
Open Pit sand mining also became popular between 1969 and 1979. The large white scars seen adjacent to Banana Bend
and Highlands Shores are all open pit mining of sugar sand and clays. Their lack of regard for the residents in the area
has destroyed a lot of the beauty of what was a wooded scenic neighborhood. Digging along ancient river beds and
ox bows, their destruction of land mass and vegetation was a major influence in the destruction by erosion of Banana
Bend during the 1994 flood.
While sand mining on White's Lake continued to be a problem for the residents of Rio Villa, subsidence continued to
cause the most destruction of scenic habitats. While underground water pumping was reduced, subsidence still continued
although at a slower pace. As water levels rose, and fresh water flow was reduced by the Lake Houston Dam, salt water
from the bay killed out the rest of White Lake's vast cypress forests and islands.