UPDATE: A revolutionary new machine, dubbed the Marsh Master, has just been deployed to the Harris County Flood Control District in Texas. This amphibious vehicle is set to transform how the district maintains its extensive network of 2,500 miles of bayous, creeks, and drainage channels.
Officials confirmed that the $244,000 Marsh Master is designed specifically for wetland and swampy terrains, allowing access to previously unreachable areas. Jason Krahn, chief infrastructure and operations officer, stated, “This is going to allow us to get into areas we’ve never been able to access before with operational machinery like this.”
This cutting-edge machine is part of a broader $17 million investment in new equipment, funded through a 2024 bond approved by Harris County voters. Krahn emphasized the significance of this investment, noting, “With this equipment, we’re going to be able to utilize in-house forces, reduce the need for specialty contracts, and it’s going to quickly pay for itself with the amount of work we’re going to be able to do with it.”
The Marsh Master features a hydraulic arm equipped with a shredder deck, enabling crews to efficiently mow vegetation and maintain the flood control systems. This capability is crucial for storm response, as Krahn explained, “We have the equipment we need where we can get into those areas, do our assessments, and quickly remove that debris and restore the systems.”
The deployment of the Marsh Master comes just in time, as experts are urging preparedness for increased storm activity. This innovative machine represents a significant leap forward in the flood control district’s ability to respond to natural disasters effectively.
In the coming days, Harris County residents can expect to see the Marsh Master in action, enhancing the district’s operational efficiency and ensuring better preparedness for future weather events.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Harris County Flood Control District rolls out this important new technology.
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