What if floating islands covered in native plants could help improve water quality in Harris County? The Harris County Flood Control District is exploring that possibility through an innovative project in the Clear Creek watershed.

On October 29, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $533,444 agreement with the University of Houston for a three-year study of floating vegetated islands at the Reverend William and Audrey Lawson Park stormwater detention basin.

How Do Floating Islands Work?

Located near Cullen Boulevard between Dagg Road and Christia V. Adair Park, the project includes two floating islands featuring native wetland plants. By filtering nutrients and trapping sediment, the Floating Vegetated Islands project naturally improves stormwater quality before it enters Clear Creek. 

The islands also create habitat for wildlife and enhance the appearance of the stormwater detention basin for surrounding neighborhoods.

The project builds on an earlier pilot study conducted by the University of Houston–Clear Lake Environmental Institute of Houston. Using findings from that research, the Flood Control District installed the two islands, along with water quality monitoring equipment and supporting infrastructure. Construction was substantially completed in the second quarter of 2026.

Studying the Potential for Future Use

The project initially  received approximately $511,000 in funding through the 2018 Flood Control Bond Program under Bond ID C-05.

The newly approved research agreement, supported primarily by a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality grant with additional Bond funding, will evaluate water quality, pollutant removal, vegetation growth and long-term maintenance needs.

While stormwater detention basins are primarily designed to temporarily hold excess stormwater and reduce flood risk, floating vegetated islands could provide additional environmental benefits.

The results will help the Flood Control District determine whether this nature-based approach could be used at other stormwater detention basins throughout Harris County.

What You Can Do

Residents can help improve local water quality by keeping trash, grass clippings and other debris out of storm drains, bayous and drainage channels. These simple actions help reduce pollutants entering local waterways.

Learn more about the project and its potential environmental benefits on the Flood Control District’s Floating Vegetated Islands project page.