Harris County Flood Protection: Lauder Detention Basin Expansion and Flood Control Projects

Lauder Detention Basin Expansion

• 🚀 Phase two of the Lauder Detention Basin expansion near Aldine is now complete, adding capacity for another 200 million gallons of stormwater.
• 🎯 This project is part of a larger effort in Houston to improve flood defenses.

Investment in Flood Control

• 💰 Harris County has invested over $5 billion in strengthening bayous since Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
• ✅ This investment has funded 220 completed projects and 200 ongoing projects aimed at enhancing flood and drainage systems.
• 💡 Key bayous benefiting from these investments include Greens, Halls, Hunting, Sims, White Oak, Buffalo, and Brays.

Protecting Structures and Communities

• 📈 The Brays Bayou project, upon completion, will protect approximately 15,000 structures from a 100-year storm event.
• ⚠️ This represents a significant improvement in flood protection for the region.

Broader Flood Management Strategies

• 💧 Hydrologists suggest a multi-scale approach to water retention, from rain barrels to large green spaces along creeks and upstream.
• 🌿 The contrast between concrete (zero absorption) and grass (high absorption) highlights the importance of natural landscapes for water management.
• 🛠️ Harris County Flood Control is exploring new tools, including underground stormwater tunnels, to manage water without significant surface impact.

Flood Risk in Harris County

• 🏠 The risk of flooding in Harris County is higher than the risk of a house fire over the lifespan of a typical mortgage.
• 🔍 Residents are urged to know their neighborhood, flood risk, and the forecast to stay safe.