Four Corner - Texas Water Development Board

study area ranges from approximately 94 feet above mean sea level (MSL) at the Four Comers
road crossing to about 83 feet MSL in the southern part of the site along Red Gully. (
Cummings Road Area. A copy of the Richmond USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle map is included
in Plate 6.2. The ground surface in the Cummings Road area slopes to the south toward the
Brazos River, which borders the site. The elevation in the study area ranges from approximately
88 feet MSL to less than 85 feet near the river.
Sources of Information
SOIL AND GROUNDWATER DATA REVIEW
Generalized soil and groundwater conditions were determined from reports available from the
HVJ Associates files and other sources corresponding to the investigations conducted in the
vicinity of the project area. Other sources from which available geotechnical data was requested
include the Fort Bend County, City of Rosenberg, City of Richmond, various subdivisions,
municipal utility districts, and the Texas Department of Transportation.
HVJ Associates reviewed available geotechnical reports prepared in-house within several miles
of the two areas. We identified several geotechnical investigations which, by their proximity, are
useful. The approximate locations of these investigations are shown on Plate 7.
Some of the reports identified from HVJ Associates files and all reports obtained from outside
sources were performed for public projects. These reports are identified in the reference section
by number. The approximate location of the study for each of these reports is shown on Plate 7.
Available boring logs, plans and profiles from the public domain reports are also included in
Appendix B.
The information for private clients such as residential and commercial developments is
referenced but no boring logs, maps, or other documents contained within those reports are
reproduced in this report. However, the general nature of soil conditions encountered at these
sites has been considered in developing this report. It is possible that additional geotechnical ·
data exists which we were unable to consider for this study.
General Soil and Groundwater Characteristics
The soils encountered in the reports reviewed are typical of the Beaumont formation and the
Quaternary alluvial deposits. Based on the geotechnical information from these reports, we do
not expect any unusual problems in the project areas. Most of the soils may be tentatively
classified as type B for stiff to hard clays above the water table, and type C for weaker clays,
granular soils and soils below the water table, based on OSHA trench safety requirements as
presented in Appendix B of 29 CFR part 1926. Since some of the borings were drilled at
distances up to about 5 miles from the project areas, we are uncertain of soil conditions at
specific project locations.
Groundwater level measurements were documented in several of the projects reviewed. It should
be noted, however, that groundwater levels may fluctuate seasonally, climatically and due to
other factors not evident at the time of drilling. If clay soils exist to a significant depth below the
base of the trench excavation, a pump and sump dewatering system will probably be adequate for
trench excavation. If granular soils are encountered above or close to the base of excavation, a
well point dewatering system may be required.
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