Mother Nature Not Kind to HSV - Mudslides Return ⋆ Hot Springs Village Gazette

Before this article was published, it was titled “Rapid Response – Erosion Control.” Due to events occurring today, the article’s name was adjusted to reflect the current situation. Originally I said:

“Heavy rains on March 3, 2023, caused a devastating mudslide on Jarandilla Drive in Hot Springs Village. POA emergency crews quickly responded to the situation, working tirelessly to clear the area of mud and other debris. However, due to the severity of the damage, Jarandilla Drive was closed between Mesero Way and Tejando Way. A detour was put in place to ensure the safety of both residents and guests. The safety of our community is HSVPOA’s top priority, and they have worked actively to assess and repair the damage caused by the mudslide.”

Weighing the pros and cons between using riprap and gunite versus the much more economical option of hydroseeding, Public Services Director, Ken Unger, chose to try hydroseeding. Gunite, also known as shotcrete application, stabilizes an area, so it doesn’t continue eroding. According to Wikipedia, shotcrete is a construction technique where concrete or mortar is conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface.

On Monday, March 13, Todd Noles, Hot Springs Village POA Superintendent of Lakes, Dams, Common Property, and Forestry, arranged for EnviroTrac Safety & Erosion, Inc. to remediate the scene to prevent future erosion. Brent Montag and his wife, Kendra, own EnviroTrac, one of Arkansas’s leading erosion control companies. Based in Plainview, EnviroTrac used hydroseeding to spray a mixture of Bermuda, rye, and fescue seeds. Hydroseeding helps establish grass growth faster than conventional seeding and yields a fuller, more lush product. This process can seed difficult-to-reach places and steep inclines. The seed mixture is expected to germinate in two to three weeks and should help to prevent further erosion in the seeded areas.

Unfortunately, hydroseeding did not solve the problem. Due to more heavy rains, the area continued to slide.

Today, Friday, March 17, The POA said:

“Mother Nature is not being kind to the Village right now…

“Another mudslide on Jarandilla Drive has again forced the closure of a portion of that road until further notice as crews work to clear the mud and debris. Jarandilla Drive is closed between Mesero Way and Tejado Way, with a detour already in place.”

While the EnviroTrac crew was in the Village, they also seeded a few other areas along Jarandilla Drive, DeSoto Boulevard, and Coronado Drive.

By Joe and Cheryl Dowden; Photography and Videography by Joe Dowden