In an effort to keep you informed about the Harris County Flood Control District’s continuing improvements in the Clear Creek watershed, we are pleased to announce construction on the Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park is now substantially complete.
Formerly known as the Dagg Stormwater Detention Basin, the basin is located east of Cullen Boulevard, between Dagg Road and Christia V. Adair Park. Occupying approximately 22 acres of land at the site of a former sand pit purchased by the Flood Control District in 2017, construction began in spring 2020 and was substantially completed in fall 2022.
“It's hard to think of two other people who have impacted our community more than Reverend William and Audrey Lawson. We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can repay by honoring their legacy and carrying it forward,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
“And now, we are building on that legacy by dedicating this site as the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park. This is a place where children will play, families will gather, and communities will thrive,” Ellis continued. “It will help protect neighborhoods from flooding and nurture life.”
Stormwater detention basins reduce flooding risks and damages during heavy rain events by safely storing excess stormwater and slowly releasing it back to the creek when the threat of flooding has passed. The Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park features a permanent pool and is designed to hold approximately 188 acre-feet, or more than 61 million gallons, of regional stormwater, and includes features to improve stormwater quality.
“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone of completing the Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park,” said Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen. “Our mission is to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. This project provides critical stormwater mitigation to create greater flood resilience in this area – while also providing recreational amenities, through our partnership with Precinct 1, that the community can enjoy.”
The Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park is part of a pilot project to help the Flood Control District identify techniques to improve stormwater quality. One component of the pilot will feature wetland shelves being revegetated with local native species to enhance water quality treatment capabilities. Other key objectives of the pilot are to determine how water quality treatment can be enhanced by utilizing floating vegetated islands and to identify the types of materials that will function best in stormwater detention basins in terms of both longevity and maintenance.
As part of a partnership with Precinct 1, the precinct has added additional amenities such as walking trails and park benches along the basin.
The Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park project is separate from, but complements, the Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management Project, which is now in design. The Flood Control District works to reduce flooding across the region and is committed to keeping residents informed. For more information on this project or other Flood Control District projects, please visit www.hcfcd.org/Lawson.
Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park
Project ID: A500-08-00-E002
2018 HCFCD Bond Project ID: C-05
Precinct: 1
Contractor: Sprint Sand & Clay LLC
Contract Amount: Approximately $18.5 million total for the Stormwater Detention Basin at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park and the South Belt Stormwater Detention Basin projects
Contract Start: Spring 2020
Contract Duration: 692 calendar days