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With a yearly rainfall of about 51 inches, water in Harris County must be controlled carefully to prevent flooding in homes, businesses, and streets. One of the most important tools for this is the stormwater detention basin, which is like a big bowl-shaped area that holds rainwater. These basins keep water for a while and then slowly let it out, helping prevent flooding in other places.
The Flood Control District builds and maintains stormwater detention basins across the region. These basins come in different forms depending on the land available, the surrounding environment, and the specific needs of the watershed. HCFCD designs them to work alongside bayous, creeks, and drainage channels, often turning them into community assets with trails, open spaces, or habitat areas.
Common types of detention basins include:
- Dry bottom basins: These remain dry most of the time and fill with water only during heavy rainfall.
- Wet bottom basins: These include a permanent pond and provide added storage capacity when storms occur.
- Underground or inline basins: Used in space-limited areas, these store water beneath the surface or within existing channels.
A lot of the time, these basins are quietly hidden in parks and other large green spaces, where most people never notice them. But without detention basins, rainwater would rush into bayous and creeks too fast, making it more likely for flooding to happen. Basins slow the water down, protect homes and businesses, and reduce strain on downstream communities, which are the neighborhoods farther down the path of the water.
These projects are an important part of Harris County’s plan to lower the risk of flooding. Along with engineering, basins can also provide places for people to play, space for wildlife, and areas where the community can come together.
Residents play an important role in keeping detention basins working well:
- Do not dump trash, yard waste, or chemicals in or near them.
- Stay safe by avoiding basins during or after storms, when water levels can rise quickly.
- Many basins have walking trails or green spaces, so enjoy them, but help keep them clean for everyone.
The Harris County Flood Control District is making historic progress in flood control and maintenance thanks to voter support and dedicated staff. Stay informed and report issues by following us on social media. Together, we can build a safer, stronger system for today and future generations.