Fencing a Home Along a Resaca in Brownsville

Brownsville's resacas are one of the things that make the city special. These old channels of the Rio Grande wind through neighborhoods across town, and homes that back up to them get water views, birds and a cooler breeze.

They also come with a few fence challenges. Ground near the water tends to be soft and damp, the air stays humid and owners usually want to keep the view they paid for. Here's how to fence a resaca home the right way.

What makes resaca lots different

Softer, wetter ground

Soil near a resaca often holds more water than ground farther away, and it can turn soft after heavy rain. That matters because posts hold up the whole fence. In soft ground, shallow posts can tip, and concrete footings can shift over time.

More moisture

Damp ground and humid air keep wood wet longer. That speeds up rot, especially at the base of wood posts, and it attracts termites.

The view

Many owners want privacy on the sides of their lot, facing the neighbors, but an open view across the water. A solid fence all the way around would block the main reason they bought the home.

Rules and easements

Some resaca lots have easements, drainage areas or neighborhood rules about what can be built near the water. It's important to check before planning a fence along the water's edge.

Start with the property line and the rules

Before you choose a fence, find out:

Where your property actually ends. On resaca lots, the line isn't always at the water's edge. Check your survey, and consider having a surveyor mark the corners.
Whether there's an easement along the water or for drainage. Fences in easements may not be allowed, or may need to be removable.
Your neighborhood's rules on fence height, style and materials, especially facing the water.
Whether a permit is needed for your fence.

Get answers in writing and share them with every contractor who quotes the job.

Choosing materials for a resaca lot

Along the water: open fences

Aluminum is the most popular choice for the water side. It can't rust in damp air, it's light and it keeps the view open. It also works as a pool barrier if your pool faces the resaca. Powder-coated, galvanized steel is an option if you need more strength, but it needs more care near water.

See our aluminum and iron fence page for styles and options.

Along the sides: privacy

For the sides of the lot facing neighbors:

Vinyl is a strong choice near water because it can't rot or rust. It needs reinforced posts set deep in soft ground.
Wood works if it's built for moisture: galvanized steel posts, cedar or quality treated boards, stainless fasteners, a rot board at the bottom and regular sealing.

Our vinyl fence page explains what to look for in a quality vinyl fence.

Mixing materials

The most common setup on resaca lots is privacy fencing on the sides that steps down or transitions to an open aluminum fence along the water. A good contractor can make the transition look clean, with matching post caps or colors.

Setting posts in soft ground

This is where resaca fences succeed or fail. Ask your contractor:

How deep will the posts go? Soft ground usually calls for deeper holes than a typical yard.
Will posts be set in concrete? In most cases, yes, with the top shaped so water runs off.
What happens if the hole fills with water? Experienced contractors have ways to set posts in wet holes.
Will you use steel posts? For wood fences near water, galvanized steel posts are the best defense against rot.
How close will the posts be? Closer spacing helps in soft ground and in wind.

Keeping pets and wildlife sorted

Resacas attract birds, turtles, fish and other wildlife. If you have pets:

Keep the bottom of the fence close to the ground with no gaps
Choose picket spacing small enough that small dogs can't squeeze through
Use self-closing, self-latching gates

If you want to keep animals out of a garden, a tight wire or chain link fence around the garden itself works better than fencing the whole lot.

Pools facing the resaca

If your pool faces the water, the fence between the pool and the resaca may need to meet pool barrier rules: a minimum height, narrow spacing and a self-closing, self-latching gate. Aluminum fences designed for pools are a popular choice because they meet these needs and keep the view.

Upkeep on a resaca fence

Rinse metal fences every few months to clear dust and grime.
Check posts each spring. Push on each one, especially near the water.
Touch up scratches on steel immediately.
Seal wood every two to three years and keep plants trimmed back so the fence can dry.
Walk the fence after storms and heavy rain to catch shifted posts early.

What it costs

Resaca fences can cost a bit more than a typical yard fence because of deeper post work in soft ground and the common mix of materials. The biggest cost factors are still length, height, materials and gates. A contractor who has walked your lot can give you a real number.

Gates on a resaca lot

Many resaca homeowners want a gate on the water side for a dock, a kayak launch or simply to walk down to the bank. Make it at least four feet wide, hang it on corrosion-resistant hinges and choose a latch that closes on its own. If the gate is part of a pool barrier, it has to meet the same self-closing and self-latching rules as the rest of the barrier.

Get help with your resaca fence

We match Brownsville homeowners with independent local fence contractors who know how to build on soft ground near water. Tell us about your lot, including which sides face neighbors and which face the resaca, and a contractor will reach out with a free quote. Thinking about vinyl for the sides? Read our comparison of vinyl and wood fences in Brownsville.