In October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved funding for Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project.

 

The project will convert the former Inwood Forest Golf Course into a flood-mitigation facility, which will be excavated to hold 350 million gallons of stormwater. The $55.3 million project will include 12 detention basins that will hold about 1,300 acre-ft of water. The Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston will contribute $15.8 million, while FEMA will contribute $39.5 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Completion is slated for first quarter 2025. 

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The stormwater detention basin project encompasses property located both east of Antoine and west of Antoine, with a total of 12 interconnected stormwater detention basins. During the design stage of the project, community engagement meetings were held for residents to learn about key elements of the project, give input, and have their questions and concerns addressed.  As part of its mission to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values, the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston are partnered to support plans to develop proposed recreational areas that could be incorporated into the stormwater detention basins once construction of the basins is complete.  The Houston Parks Board is part of this City of Houston effort.

 

The basins will vary in stormwater storage capacity, which is measured in acre-feet. The goal for the stormwater storage capacity for all the basins combined is approximately 1,200 acre-feet, for shared use by the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston. One acre-foot is equal to one-acre times a one-foot depth, or 43,560 cubic feet (325,850 gallons).

 

To learn more about this project, visit http://hcfcd.org/c59