C-59 Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project

C-59 Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project
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Note: Bond ID C-60 has been consolidated with Bond ID C-59.

Recent Actions

October 25, 2022 – Harris County Commissioners Court received documentation for consideration regarding advertisement of excavation on behalf of the Flood Control District.

February 8, 2022 – Harris County Commissioners Court authorized the conveyance of one tract of land in support of this project.

October 12, 2021 – Harris County Commissioners Court authorized a $312,295 amendment for additional design, bidding and construction stage engineering services for this project.

July 14, 2021 – Harris County Flood Control District provided an update to the Inwood Forest Community Improvement District at its regularly scheduled homeowners’ meeting. Activity for the remainder of 2021 will involve City of Houston plan review and approval, as well as plan review and approval by FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The bidding process is expected to begin by the end of 2021. Prior to construction start, the Flood Control District will meet with the public to communicate about the anticipated construction schedule, traffic plan, and other construction inconveniences.

May 25, 2021 – Harris County Commissioners Court approved an agreement between the City of Houston (by and through the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and Houston Public Works Department), Houston Parks Board LGC, Inc., and Harris County for the funding of recreational improvements at the former Inwood Golf Course.

February 11, 2021 – On February 11, 2021, FEMA issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). The environmental assessment (EA) for the project was prepared in accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented through guidelines from the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ; 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce the risk of flooding and to reduce flood damage within the Inwood Forest community of Houston, Texas. 

A public notice was posted to both the Houston Chronicle and FEMA websites. The draft EA was made available for public comment for 30 days on FEMA’s website and upon request in hard or electronic copy from FEMA.

October 07, 2020 – The draft Environmental Assessment was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review. This environmental review is part of the federally mandated process consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. FEMA will publish the draft Environmental Assessment on their website with noticing of a 30-day period for public comment.

August 10, 2020 – The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approved the Harris County Flood Control’s application for the Section 404 Individual Permit for this project. This application is part of the federally mandated permitting process consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. Public Notice No. SWG-2017-00335, HCFCD Project ID E521-04-00-E001 was published by the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their website with appropriate public commenting period.

May 19, 2020 – Harris County Commissioners Court approved updates to project details in the 2018 Bond Program List. Update corrects precinct information, project title, and funding information to reflect consolidation of Bond ID C-59 with Bond ID C-60. Additionally, a $108,115 agreement amendment was authorized with an engineering firm for design, bidding, and construction phase engineering services for construction of this project.

February 4, 2020 - As part of the federally mandated permitting process, the Harris County Flood Control District submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) an application for a Section 404 Individual Permit for the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basins Project consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. Public Notice No. SWG-2017-00335, HCFCD Project ID E521-04-00-E001 has been published by the Galveston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their website. Public comments are due to their office no later than 6 March 2020.

August 13, 2019 - Harris County Commissioners Court accepted a Preliminary Engineering Report in support of this project. Recommendation for authorization to accept a preliminary engineering report prepared by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., and proceed with design and construction of Unit E500-21-00 Inwood Forest stormwater detention basin in the White Oak Bayou Watershed in Precinct 1 (Map ID C-59, Project ID E500-21-00-E001).

August 2, 2019 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the City of Houston a grant to cover 75% of the cost for the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Project.

March 26, 2019 – Commissioners Court approved agreement with engineering firm to design entirety of the project.

100% Design Exhibits

The project includes a total of 12 basins of varying size. The basins are individually labeled with letters A-L. The City of Houston has completed Basin K and partially completed the construction of Basin L. The Harris County Flood Control District’s upcoming project will include the construction of the remaining basins as shown in the diagram. Click the links below for more information on the design and location of each basin.

Construction

The construction contract allows for 990 calendar days with an anticipated completion date in early 2026. The contractor will adhere to the City of Houston’s noise ordinance, and per the construction requirements, the contractor will maintain clean streets and minimize dust as much as possible. Construction activities will occur Monday through Friday, beginning no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and ending by 7:00 p.m. with work only occurring on the weekend with an approved exception.

It’s important to remember the entire project area will be an active construction site throughout the duration of construction. At the start of construction, you may notice trucks and heavy machinery mobilizing. The early stages of construction include:

  • Removal of all cart paths
  • Construction of three weirs, including two at Basin D and one on the southern portion of Basin I, at Vogel Creek
  • Basin excavation and construction

The construction team will follow a schedule and planned sequence to construct the basins. The order of construction-related activities that will occur for reach basin is as follows:

  • Install protective fencing around the trees that are being preserved.
  • The remaining trees within the project right-of-way will be removed.
  • Excavation efforts for the respective basins will begin.

After excavation is complete, construction of the swales, interceptors or pipes, pilot channel and riprap, as well as connecting the basins with underground pipes will begin. Then, final grading will take place to ensure the area is prepared for the last step in the process: turf establishment.

The sequencing of the project will move from west to east, from downstream to upstream, so that the project site can drain as construction progresses. The timeframe to complete each basin will vary, and there will be overlap with multiple basins being worked on at the same time.

Construction on the first set of basins is expected to occur on the basins located west of Antoine Drive and north of White Oak Bayou – which are Basins A, B, C, D and E.

The second set was originally anticipated to be the basins located west of Antoine Drive and south of White Oak Bayou – which are Basins G and F. However, the timeline for Basin G has changed. While the contractor is pending permission to cross a pipeline easement on the west side of Basin D, they are shifting construction plans to also begin work near Basin G as part of the first set of basins.

Then, the 3rd set will be the basins located to the east of Antoine Drive, which are H, I, J, and the remaining components of Basin L.

As a reminder, Basin K has already been completed by the City of Houston.

Please note the overall construction schedule and sequence is subject to change.

Traffic Control Plan

During the process of connecting the stormwater detention basins for the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project there will be occasional impacts to traffic flow.

We anticipate having four road closures over the duration of construction to construct storm sewer connections under the roadway. Please see the maps below for a high-level overview of the planned closure locations. The anticipated timing and duration, along with the detour routes, will be communicated in advance through email updates.

In general, motorists are urged to heed all warnings and road closure signs and detours, and to be alert to truck traffic when passing near construction access points and along truck routes.

ROAD CLOSURE A

This road closure will be located between Basins B and C on Arncliffe Dr. between Green Lawn Dr. and Bateman Ln. During this road closure, northbound traffic on Green Lawn Dr. will be routed to travel eastbound on Green Falls Dr., then southbound on Antoine Dr., and then westbound on Arncliffe Dr.

ROAD CLOSURE B

This road closure will be located between Basins A and B on Green Lawn Dr. just south of Green Falls Dr. When this closure occurs, traffic heading northbound on Green Lawn Dr. will be routed eastbound onto Arncliffe Dr., then northbound on Antoine Dr., and then westbound onto Green Falls Dr.

ROAD CLOSURE C

This road closure is located between Basins A and C at the intersection of Long Leaf Dr and Green Lawn Dr. Traffic will be routed northbound onto W. Gulf Bank Rd. then westbound on W. Gulf Bank Rd., and southbound on Alabonson Rd. and then east on Long Leaf Dr.

ROAD CLOSURE D

This road closure will be located between Basins D and E on Deep Forest Dr., just west of Antoine Dr. across from Maple Hill Dr. The planned detour for this closure will be to route traffic northbound on Antoine Dr., then westbound on Long Creek Ln. and southbound on Deep Forest Dr.


Recreational Opportunities

As owner of the property, the recreational opportunities are being determined by the City of Houston with input from the community and Houston Parks Board.

White Oak Conference Center, formerly the golf course clubhouse, which includes a community center and is managed by the Near Northwest Management District, will remain on-site and operational. The White Oak Conference Center is located next to Basin C.

Tree Preservation

During the development of the project, the Flood Control District conducted a detailed survey of the trees in the area. Trees greater than four inches in diameter were tagged and documented according to size, species, and general health. Suggestions for possible tree preservation zones were indicated as part of the inventory. Following Hurricane Harvey in summer 2017, the project focus shifted to increasing stormwater detention volume to offset street flooding. To allow for maximum basin volume, trees in the immediate area may need to be removed.

During construction, trees located within the right-of-way will be removed as we start to excavate 13 to 25 feet deep. We will try to maintain native trees along the top of the banks of the stormwater detention basins to buffer home property lines, as well as particularly high value or mature trees when possible. Additionally, the construction contractor will have an expert arborist tasked with ensuring trees are marked correctly prior to the start of construction. They will go basin-by-basin – ahead of the construction team – to evaluate the existing conditions of the trees and sign off on the tree plan before excavation can begin. It is not always possible to keep every tree that is identified as “valuable”, but we have worked to do so when we can.

While excavating, efforts will be made to protect the roots of trees that we intend to keep along the perimeter of the basins. There will be a protective fence placed around trees that will be preserved.

Encroachments

An encroachment is any unauthorized use of the Flood Control District or other public property or drainage easements. Encroachments generally are permanent or portable structures or objects that have been placed on Flood Control property, including, but not limited to, fencing, swing sets, sheds, swimming pools, bird baths, outdoor furnishings, and sporting equipment.

The Flood Control District has identified potential encroachments on property owned by the City of Houston and/or Flood Control District. Homeowners with identified encroachments will be contacted by letter and a survey of the encroachment will be provided in that notification. Please note that all encroachments must be resolved prior to the start of construction as it impedes the ability to successfully construct the project. If the identified encroachment(s) are not removed by the start of construction, the encroachment(s) will be removed and placed on your property outside the project’s right-of-way. The Flood Control District and their contractors will not be responsible for damages to, or replacement of, items that are removed.

Once the project is completed, you cannot build or rebuild a personal structure on public property or property owned by the City of Houston and/or the Flood Control District. Maintenance crews will need access to the site on a regular and ongoing basis.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin project encompasses property located both east of Antoine and west of Antoine, with a total of 12 interconnected stormwater detention basins. Construction on the project started in May 2023 and allows for 990 calendar days with an anticipated completion in early 2026. As construction continues, please see the Construction and Traffic Control Plan sections above for more information on construction-related activities and anticipated road closures and detours.

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 risk reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values, the Flood Control District also is working with our partner, the City of Houston, to support plans to develop proposed recreational areas that could be incorporated around the stormwater detention basins once construction of the basins is complete. The Houston Parks Board is part of this City of Houston effort.

The stormwater detention basins are being built by the Flood Control District on the former golf course property to provide flood damage reduction benefits during heavy storms and to mitigate impacts of future public City of Houston drainage projects as appropriate.

Community Engagement Meetings

While the process of securing the federal grant delayed the beginning of construction, it also offered an opportunity for the City of Houston and the Flood Control District to hold a series of meetings with the public and other stakeholders to hear their concerns.

The Harris County Flood Control District, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, held community engagement meetings with residents, prior to the start of construction.

Project Construction Meeting

A Project Construction Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Meeting Summary Presentation Submit a Comment

Virtual Community Engagement Meeting

A virtual Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Meeting Summary Presentation Virtual Meeting Video Submit a Comment

Community Engagement Meeting

A Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019

The Harris County Flood Control District, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, provided updated information about this project, including 50% design plans, tree and vegetation removal in the immediate area, as well as recreational and amenity concepts that may be considered for the area after construction is completed on the stormwater basins. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

Presentation

HOA Meeting Presentation

A Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Harris County Flood Control District leadership, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, presented to the residents of Inwood Forest an update on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

The update included information regarding the August 2, 2019 grant award announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the City of Houston for funding to cover 75% of the costs for design, and ultimately construction, of the entire project. Residents also were briefed on plans for future recreational opportunities and other Capital Improvement Projects in the area. Additional meetings with the community are being planned and will be posted to this site, as the project progresses.

Presentation

HOA Meeting Presentation

A Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Harris County Flood Control District leadership, along with our partners from the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board, presented to the residents of Inwood Forest an update on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

The update included information regarding the August 2, 2019 grant award announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the City of Houston for funding to cover 75% of the costs for design, and ultimately construction, of the entire project. Residents also were briefed on plans for future recreational opportunities and other Capital Improvement Projects in the area. Additional meetings with the community are being planned and will be posted to this site, as the project progresses.

Presentation

HOA Meeting Presentation

A Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on:

Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2018

On August 15, 2018, Harris County Flood Control District leadership, along with our partners from the City of Houston, presented to the residents of Inwood Forest an update on the Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Project. The meeting was hosted by the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association and the Inwood Homeowners Association.

Presentation