Kuykendahl Stormwater Detention Basin

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Kuykendahl Stormwater Detention Basin reduces the risk of flooding in the mid-reach stretch of Greens Bayou by taking in excess stormwater during heavy rain events and then releasing it slowly back to the channel when the threat of flooding has passed. The stormwater detention basin, completed in Spring 2021, holds 2,325 acre-feet, or 757.6 million gallons, of excess stormwater that might otherwise flood homes and businesses.

Just over 22 acres of native tree and shrub plantings, almost 13 acres of stormwater quality treatment wetlands and 14 acres of other created wetlands were implemented as part of this project. In addition to the stormwater detention basin, Greens Bayou Tributary P145-00-00 was enhanced and stabilized with natural stable channel design features, which will help minimize erosion, stabilize the banks, slow the flow of water, shade the water and create a habitat for birds and other wildlife. When awarded, the construction contract Glen Forest and Kuykendahl stormwater detention basins was the largest single construction contract ever managed by the Flood Control District.

Greens Bayou Mid-Reach Program
This project is part of the Greens Mid-Reach Program. As originally envisioned, the Greens Mid-Reach Program is a several-hundred-million-dollar effort focused on the area from Veterans Memorial Drive downstream to JFK Boulevard. The Flood Control District began implementing this vision in the 2000s to bring much-needed flood risk reduction to residents along Greens Bayou.

In total, the Greens Mid-Reach Program proposes 11 miles of channel conveyance improvements and 10,500 acre-feet of stormwater storage through five stormwater detention basins to mitigate the increased flow of water and prevent any regional impacts. As of July 2022, 8,200 acre-feet of the required stormwater detention has already been completed or is currently under construction, including Bond Project C-33, the Aldine Westfield Stormwater Detention Basin, and Bond Project C-34, the Lauder Stormwater Detention Basin. The Glen Forest Stormwater Detention Basin and the Kuykendahl Stormwater Detention Basin are fully constructed and the fifth Hardy Stormwater Detention Basin is still in early feasibility.

The Greens Bayou Mid-Reach Program is a long-term commitment to improving flood resiliency for area residents, and the Flood Control District is dedicated to that vision. Work funded through the 2018 Bond Program will take a great leap forward in realizing this vision, and more work will continue to be phased in even after the projects included in the 2018 Bond Program are complete.