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20-million-gallon detention basin in Meyerland designed to help prevent flooding
Meyerland has a history of flooding issues but local leaders say the Meyer Grove Detention Basin will help prevent future floods.
HOUSTON, Texas — The cutting of a ceremonial ribbon Friday marked the completion of a project designed to lower the flooding risk in the Meyerland area.
The Meyer Grove Detention Basin is located between Brays Bayou and North Braeswood Boulevard where the old Meyer Grove Apartments once stood.
It can hold some 20 million gallons of stormwater which is equivalent to roughly 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Tina Petersen explained how the basin works.
“When the bayou is running high, it captures that stormwater and stores it temporarily,” said Petersen. “And then once the bayou goes down, this basin releases the water back to the bayou. So, as a result, it’s protecting the homes, the structures, the businesses around this area.”
It’s an area still dotted with ghost driveways leading to long-demolished homes. Other homes were raised after major flood events, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Flood-weary residents like Sandie Thorne are relieved that improvements are being made. Her family lost five cars during Harvey.
“Every time it rains, I move my car because now I have a car with a ramp and I can’t afford to lose it,” Thorne said.
Thankfully, her home was spared because it was raised following Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.
“I think it probably would’ve flooded again and again had they not done some of the work they’ve done,” said Thorne.
Peterson said Meyer Grove Apartments and many other structures were built along bayous before the creation of current floodplain regulations which would likely prevent their construction today.
Purchasing the flood-prone property, removing apartments, and replacing them with the multi-million-dollar detention basin was paid for through a combination of funding sources.