River Plantation, Texas

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Bridge marking the entrance and exit from River Plantation

River Plantation is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Texas, United States. It is located along the banks of the San Jacinto River,[1] 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Conroe. As of 2007, it had 1,200 houses and approximately 3,000 residents.[1] According to the 2015 American Community Survey, the median household income for residents living in River Plantation and the surrounding area was $84,583.[2]

History

The lower reaches of the community were developed in the late 1960s.[3] An underpass of Interstate 45 opened before April 18, 2007, increasing access to the community.[1]

Flooding Incidents

Many buildings and other structures were damaged due to Hurricane Harvey.

Due to its proximity to the San Jacinto River and its low elevation, the community of River Plantation is prone to frequent flooding.[3]

In 1994, a deluge of rain across Southeast Texas caused flooding in several communities. Throughout the state, six died from the flooding.[4] In River Plantation, water from the San Jacinto River flooded 110 houses. The Federal Government of the United States bought and razed twenty of them; Gwen Hruska Park is located where the former houses stood.[1]

Major flooding events in 2015[5] and 2016[6] caused local officials to issue voluntary evacuations of River Plantation.

Hurricane Harvey in 2017 resulted in severe flooding of the neighborhood, water up to the second story of some homes, and a mandatory evacuation due to record releases from the Lake Conroe dam.[7]

Geography

River Plantation is located along the banks of the San Jacinto River,[1] 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Conroe.[3]

The subdivision has curving roadways, as opposed to a grid road system.[1]

Education

Residents are within the Conroe Independent School District. They are zoned to Bonnie Wilkinson Elementary School,[8] Oree Bozman Intermediate School,[9] Peet Junior High School,[10] and Conroe High School.[11] Wilkinson was named after a principal in Conroe ISD.[12]

Parks and recreation

Gwen Hruska Park disc golf course

Gwen Hruska Park, named after a former president of the homeowner's association, is located in River Plantation.[1] It is located on 12 acres (4.9 ha) of land that consists of post-1994 flood buyouts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and land donations. The River Plantation Community Improvement Association (RPCIA) operates and maintains the park and its trails. 5,022 feet (1,531 m) (linear feet) of concrete trails are located in the park. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant Assistant Program funded the trails.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Isensee, Laura. "River Plantation community continues to attract residents." Houston Chronicle. April 18, 2007. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  2. ^ Includes some areas just outside the subdivision. 2015 Selected Economic Characteristics: Census Tract 6932, Montgomery County, Texas. Archived 2020-02-13 at archive.today United States Census Bureau. Accessed on July 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Nichols, Bruce. "RETREATING FROM THE RIVER Home developers deny ignoring flood warnings." The Dallas Morning News. Sunday March 12, 1995. Home & Final Edition. Texas & Southwest 45A. Retrieved on November 27, 2011. "That was in River Plantation subdivision about six miles south of Conroe along with San Jacinto River."
  4. ^ Drago, Mike. "5 die as rain inundates Southeast Texas Thousands forced to evacuate; 16 counties declared disaster areas." Austin American-Statesman. October 18, 1994. B1.
  5. ^ River Plantation in Montgomery Co. community evacuated due to rising water. ABC 13 Eyewitness News: May 14, 2015. Accessed on July 13, 2017.
  6. ^ Ellsworth, Meagan. Floodwaters rise to record-breaking levels. The Courier of Montgomery County: May 28, 2016. Accessed on July 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Hurricane Harvey: Conroe evacuates residents near Lake Conroe dam. Conroe Patch: August 28, 2017. Accessed on September 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "Conroe Elementary Feeder Map School Year 2011-2012 Archived 2010-10-26 at the Wayback Machine." Conroe Independent School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  9. ^ "Conroe Intermediate Feeder Map School Year 2011-2012 Archived 2010-10-26 at the Wayback Machine." Conroe Independent School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  10. ^ "Conroe Junior High Feeder Map School Year 2011-2012 Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine." Conroe Independent School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  11. ^ "Conroe High Feeder Map School Year 2011-2012 Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine." Conroe Independent School District. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  12. ^ Kuhles, Beth. "CISD ready to open three new schools." Houston Chronicle. Sunday August 16, 2009. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.
  13. ^ "Gwen Hruska Park." Montgomery County, Texas. Retrieved on November 27, 2011.

External links