Construction Begins on Houston Flood Mitigation Projects

More than 10 years of efforts by representatives from the Greenspoint District in Houston are now paying off as the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) begins construction on two new storm water detention basins, which will make significant strides toward eliminating flood risks in the area. The combined project is the single largest construction contract ever managed by HCFCD.

“Greenspoint District first initiated the Greens Bayou Task Force in 2002 as a forum to allow property owners and stakeholders to come together with HCFCD and discuss the need for flood control projects following the devastation created by Tropical Storm Allison,” said Bart Baker, vice president of planning, operations and infrastructure for Greenspoint District. “We’re glad to see our efforts finally coming together with the construction of the two new stormwater detention basins.”

Construction of both the Glen Forest and Kuykendahl Stormwater Detention Basins are made possible with grant assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which awarded Harris County $39.2 million earlier this year, and the HCFCD, which contributed matching funds, totaling $64 million for the project. Stormwater detention basins reduce flooding risks and damages during heavy rain events by safely storing excess floodwater and slowly releasing it back to the bayou when the threat of flooding has passed.

Once completed, the estimated three-year project will reduce or remove flooding risks and damages from more than 1,100 structures along Greens Bayou, resulting in avoided damages of more than $90 million. The construction of the two detention basins are under the umbrella of Progress Greens, a suite of flood damage reduction projects currently active to reduce flooding risks for residents and businesses within the 213 square miles of the Greens Bayou watershed.

Progress Greens also includes the Greens Bayou Federal Flood Risk Reduction Project, a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Harris County Flood Control District. In fact, the Corps is the lead agency on a $55 million Greens Bayou project, which will offer additional flood control recommendations including 3.7 miles of earthen channel modifications, environmental mitigation, and construction of a stormwater detention basin located adjacent to Greens Bayou near Antoine Road and the Sam Houston Tollway.

A strong advocate of the Federal Flood Risk Reduction Project, was Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition, a partner organization of Greenspoint District, whose executive director Jill Boullion, as well as several representatives from her Public Policy committee, regularly traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for funding and support. The Greens Bayou Federal Flood Risk Reduction Project is one of only four projects selected nationally to receive New Start Status and funding in 2015.

“We’re hoping these projects help to give relief to both the businesses and community members who have suffered from flooding issues throughout the years,” Baker said. “Implementing these flood control projects are a proactive and necessary step for businesses within the Greenspoint District to succeed.”

Source: Greenspoint District