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Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin
Bringing Flood Damage Reduction to Residents
As Project Brays' second largest stormwater detention basin, the Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin is designed to reduce flooding and bring much needed greenspace to Harris County residents.
The Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin is one of four Project Brays' stormwater detention basins designed to hold water during heavy rainfall to reduce peak flows in the channel that can cause flooding. Upon completion, the Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin will hold approximately 1.1 billion gallons of stormwater. In addition, the basin area provides 210 acres of usable greenspace for the nearby communities.
Creating Opportunities for Recreational & Aesthetic Amenities
Project Brays has presented an unique opportunity for other organizations to build upon the federal flood damage reduction project and create local initiatives to enhance projects like the Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin with recreational and aesthetic features.
Nowhere is this more evident than at Arthur Storey Park, where it blends stormwater detention with a park environment that includes amenities provided through a local initiative. Every weekend, hundreds of Harris County residents enjoy all that Arthur Storey Park has to offer. It not only reduces flood risks for area residents and businesses but also brings recreational amenities and added greenspace to west Houston. It is a great example of how a flood damage reduction project can be transformed into a multi-use facility for the community that features amenities such as picnic pavilions and activities such as bird watching.
Bringing a Vision to Life
The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) began acquiring property along the upper reaches of Brays Bayou in the mid 1980s to create stormwater detention basins that would hold excess stormwater during heavy rain events. At the same time, HCFCD and Harris County Precinct 3 created a partnership in which they used property to serve as both a flood damage reduction project and a recreational area for the surrounding communities. They designated an area west of the Sam Houston Tollway as a county park.
In 1997, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved changing the park's name from Brays Bayou Park to Arthur Storey Park in honor of Arthur L. Storey Jr., PE, executive director of the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department, who started the vision of using flood damage reduction properties as a way to provide the community with recreational and aesthetic areas. The project has become the benchmark for future HCFCD flood damage reduction projects and demonstrates how multiple entities can work together to better serve their communities.
Flood Damage Reduction
Once complete, the detention basin will have the capacity to hold approximately 1.15 billion gallons of stormwater, resulting in a reduced risk of flood damage for thousands of residents and businesses along Brays Bayou. To date, Arthur Storey Park is about 90 percent complete and is already reducing the risk of flood damage along Brays Bayou. The project is one of four regional stormwater detention basins that hold excess stormwater during heavy rainfall to reduce peak flows that can cause flooding, benefiting thousands of residents and businesses.
A Model Partnership
Prior to the Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin, many flood damage reduction projects had only one purpose - to reduce the risk of flood damage. The vision of creating this project that served multiple purposes - flood damage reduction and a place for neighbors and families to enjoy - was started by Storey and fostered by Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack. Their partnership was the foundation for Arthur Storey Park, which brings an additional 210 acres of greenspace to the community, boasts both recreational and aesthetic amenities and provides a habitat for native plants and wildlife. The park includes a gazebo overlooking the basin, walking/running trails bordered by beautiful old oak trees, playground equipment, picnic tables, a new Tai Chi court and a meeting room/learning center.
Project Status
To date, the Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin is about 94 percent complete and is already reducing the risk of flooding along Brays Bayou. The final bid for work was awarded in May 2006. The final phase will create an additional 220 acre feet of stormwater storage by removing approximately 355,000 cubic yards of dirt. Construction will cost approximately $3.2 million.
> See status of projects on the Construction Activities Update
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Project Location
The Arthur Storey Park Stormwater Detention Basin is located west of the Sam Houston Tollway, between Bellaire Blvd. and Beechnut in southwest Houston.
See Arthur Storey Park layout.
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