F-72 Baywood Stormwater Detention Basin

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Advisory

Beginning on or about October 8, 2021, construction will begin to level previously excavated areas that are currently holding water at the Baywood Stormwater Detention Basin site. This work is in connection with efforts to discourage birds from gathering at the site, and to reduce the risk to nearby La Porte Municipal Airport and Ellington Air Force Base aircraft from potentially dangerous bird strikes during departures and landing approaches.

Excavated material from another active Flood Control District construction site, part of the Genoa Red Bluff Stormwater Detention Basin project, will be trucked to the area, as needed, to complete the leveling that will allow the Baywood site to properly drain dry.

Beginning in late September 2021, wildlife biologists working with the Harris County Flood Control District began temporary, non-lethal steps to dispel and discourage the birds, including the placement of various predator decoys. Additional alternatives such as the use of lasers, airhorns and pyrotechnics will be considered in the future, if necessary. While these areas are currently being pumped, temporary wildlife hazard mitigation activity is expected to continue as needed for several months, or until the standing water issue is resolved.

A flood risk reduction project to construct a dry-bottom stormwater detention basin at this site is currently in the Design stage.

Recent Actions

September 14, 2021 – Harris County Commissioners Court authorized $249,645 for design, bidding, and construction stage engineering services in support of this project.

July 20, 2021 – Harris County Commissioners Court authorized the Flood Control District to accept a preliminary engineering report titled, “Baywood Stormwater Detention Basin” and proceed with design and construction in support of this project.

November 13, 2018 – Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $578,957 agreement with an engineering firm to conduct preliminary engineering in support of this project

August 28, 2018 – Harris County Commissioners Court authorized negotiations with an engineering firm to conduct preliminary engineering and final design in support of this project

August 28, 2018– Harris County Commissioners Court authorized and initiated this project

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project funded by the 2018 Bond Program involves design and construction of stormwater detention capacity in the Baywood Stormwater Detention Basin, HCFCD Unit B513-02-00. It will reduce flooding risks in the Armand Bayou watershed of southeast Harris County by safely storing excess stormwater during heavy rain events and slowly releasing it back to the bayou when the threat of flooding has passed.

The 136-acre basin site is located in the city of Pasadena near the intersection of Red Bluff Road and Genoa Red Bluff Road in southeast Harris County. It is near the confluence of Armand Bayou and its tributary B113-00-00. The confluence with tributary B112-00-00, commonly known as Willowsprings Bayou, is just outside the basin site.

Following a Community Engagement Meeting in 2019, in which alternatives from a draft Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) were presented to the public, it was determined that an alternative for a dry-bottom basin should be added to the PER. This is intended to reduce the risk of attracting birds near the La Porte Municipal Airport and Ellington Air Force Base.

On July 20, 2021, a revised PER was presented to and approved by Harris County Commissioners Court. It includes an alternative for a basin that will drain dry in between rain events, rather than maintain a permanent pool of water.

Following approval of the PER, the Flood Control District is proceeding with design and phased construction of the basin. A portion of the basin has already been excavated under an excavation and removal contract. Future phases of construction will further excavate and shape the basin to its ultimate design.

Bond Project Listing

Bond Project F-72 is a “Local Only” project, which means that the project will be funded totally from the 2018 Bond Program. Total allocation for this multi-stage project is currently $2 million on the Bond Project List.

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Project Lifecycle

Every flood damage reduction project is unique. Yet each project begins and ends, with common and predictable milestones along the way. Whether a project moves forward – and how quickly – depends on many factors, including the availability of funding at each milestone, shifting community priorities for flood damage reduction, and other changing circumstances (such as the price of trees or concrete) from year to year.

Virtual Community Engagement Meeting

The Harris County Flood Control District held a Community Engagement Meeting for the Baywood Stormwater Detention Basin project in the Armand Bayou watershed.

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

meeting summary Presentation Virtual Meeting Video

Virtual Community Engagement Meeting

A Community Engagement Meeting for this project was held on Thursday, May 2, 2019 .

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2019
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

You can see the meeting presentation and video by clicking the links below.

meeting summary Presentation Meeting Video