The new basin will hold approximately 17.6 acre-feet of stormwater during heavy rain events.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – The Harris County Flood Control District is set to begin construction on a stormwater detention basin located at Willow Waterhole Bayou upstream of South Post Oak Road to reduce the risk of flooding in the vicinity of the basin. Harris County Commissioners Court issued a notice to proceed on the project on June 9, allowing the project to begin construction in the coming days and is expected to take three months to complete. The project location was selected in coordination with the City of Houston.
“This is an exciting project! Anytime we have the ability to reduce the risk of flooding of homes and businesses, we are improving the quality of life for our residents. This area deserves the relief this project will provide after repeatedly flooding over the past several years. The construction of this detention basin is a testament of the power of partnerships and community engagement,” said City of Houston Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum.
The new basin will hold approximately 17.6 acre-feet (nearly 5.7 million gallons) of stormwater during heavy rain events.
“After years of historic flooding, Harris County is on the path to providing equitable flood protection, which will help keep families out of harm’s way during the next flood. The need is particularly felt along Brays Bayou, where more homes flooded than in any other corridor in Harris County during Harvey,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “Moving forward with projects like Willow Water Hole Bayou will provide meaningful, long-overdue improvements that will give families along Brays Bayou peace of mind.”
The contractor will use heavy construction equipment such as dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers to remove trees, vegetation and excavated soil. Motorists are urged to be alert to truck traffic when passing near construction access points.
To date, the Flood Control District has made more than $400 million in improvements in the Brays Bayou watershed – primarily through Project Brays, a cooperative effort between the Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For project information and updates, visit www.hcfcd.org/.
ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
The Harris County Flood Control District provides flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans and maintaining the infrastructure. For more information about the Flood Control District, visit hcfcd.org or follow us @HCFCD on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest #HCFCDnews