'Foul brew:' Brownsville man speaks out over potential health concerns from nearby resaca

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]First at 6, a Brownsville man concerned about a resaca drying up near his home.

[00:00:04]The resaca is right behind the Haynes Lane neighborhood. Thanks for joining us at 6. I'm Dina Herrera Garza. And I'm Javier Guerra. The man says lower water levels in the resaca are damaging the environment and creating health risks.

[00:00:18]Channel 5's Karen Lucero is live there now and Karen, the man you spoke with says that area looks very different than it did several years ago.

[00:00:29]Dina Javier, the ground that I'm standing on right now actually used to be underwater. Now you can see most of it is dry. I'm going to ask my photographer Kel to follow me this way.

[00:00:40]This line that you see right here, that's where the water used to reach.

[00:00:46]Now neighbors here tell me that they're concerned not only for the environment, but also their health.

[00:00:53]The fish in this resaca are are dying.

[00:00:59]And um with no fish in the puddles that will remain, mosquitoes will blossom. As this resaca continues to dry out, Ronald Heinz says he's watching the environment around it change. He says mud is drying, mosquitoes are increasing, and some wildlife is disappearing. We have one of the few wintering white pelicans, the pelicans that migrate from up north and winter here for a more temperate climate.

[00:01:34]Uh we had a a flock of them in this resaca until it began to dry out. Heinz says they keep count of the number of pelicans that visit. Two years ago, they counted 100. Last year, it was down to 50. He says the drop happened the same time the resaca began drying out. This is video Channel 5 News took. In it, you can see just how much water levels have dropped.

[00:02:03]If you look at those posts, the top of those posts where the water level where the natural water level venture a guess knowing how much of that post is exposed now. 4 ft, you think?

[00:02:20]Hines is also worried about what the dry conditions mean for those living nearby.

[00:02:25]He believes pollutants and bacteria in the exposed mud could become airborne.

[00:02:31]They will enter the dust, become airborne, and affect the live lives and the longevity of people that inhale that that foul brew. We reached out to Hidalgo County Health Authority Dr. Ivan Melendez. He tells Channel 5 News spores can live on the dirt and mud. Those spores will be released during dry episodes. It can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, or allergies. For Hines, his message is simple.

[00:03:03]PUB, in my opinion, should put public interest ahead of commercial interests and look out for the health of the people that live in Brownsville.

[00:03:19]I've reached out to BPU B multiple times today about neighbors' concerns. I've asked questions about water levels and if there's plans to fill this resaca with water anytime soon. We have yet to hear back, but we'll keep you posted.

[00:03:34]Live in Brownsville, Karen Lucero, Channel 5 News.