Duck-approved dredging project at Foster Park now complete

Duck-approved dredging project at Foster Park now complete

Published on October 09, 2025

The Park & Recreation Department has successfully completed the dredging project at Foster Park, restoring the health and sustainability of all three ponds and finishing ahead of schedule.

Why it matters: The dredging work was designed to improve water quality, restore pond depth and support the long-term ecological balance of Foster Park. Crews worked in phases to minimize disruptions to wildlife, and today the ponds are already showing signs of renewed life with turtles, fish, ducks and other aquatic species thriving.

Teamwork made it possible: Thanks to the hard work of the Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Stormwater Operations Division, the project wrapped up earlier than expected. Stormwater Supervisor Roy Fickle managed the onsite work crews, coordinating daily operations to ensure efficiency and high-quality results.

What was accomplished?

• Achieved a depth of more than 3 feet across all three ponds.
• Hauled away 7,260 cubic yards of sediment (equal to 605 truckloads).
• Repaired and replaced rip-rap rock along weir walls where needed.
• Restored staging areas and hydro-mulched grass for regrowth.

The upper and middle ponds are now fully replenished, while the lower pond has sufficient water for wildlife and will refill naturally after the next rainfall.

Environmental stewardship: As with the start of the project, the department worked under the guidance of Jeremy Jordan, a Professional Wetland Scientist and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-permitted stream ecologist. Jordan ensured the dredging followed best practices and that aquatic life relocation and wildlife protection remained a top priority.

What they're saying: "This project demonstrates our commitment to balancing infrastructure improvements with environmental stewardship," said Park & Recreation Director Dave Lewis. "We are especially proud of the collaboration between Park & Recreation and TPW Stormwater staff, whose hard work allowed us to complete the project and finish ahead of schedule."

Learn more. Updates on this and other dredging projects are available on the City's project page.

Photo at top: Foster Park's upper pond before the dredging project began.

Photo: Foster Park's upper pond after the dredging was completed.

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• Project Update