HOUSTON -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District and the Harris County Flood Control District joined elected officials and community partners Thursday to celebrate the completion of the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, a long-term effort to reduce flood risk and strengthen national resilience in one of the most urbanized watersheds in Harris County.
The project delivers more than 15 miles of channel improvements, nearly 1 billion gallons of stormwater detention, a bypass channel near Jersey Village, and approximately 12 miles of hike-and-bike trails. These features work together to turn water into national power, reducing flood risk for communities and building the resilient infrastructure that secures America's future. The work was delivered through a partnership between the Harris County Flood Control District and USACE.
White Oak Bayou drains a heavily urbanized 110-square-mile area, making the watershed historically vulnerable during major rain events. By increasing conveyance and lowering flood elevations, the project directly reduces flood risk for homes and businesses. This strengthens a critical piece of the Houston-area infrastructure network, driving economic power by keeping communities, transportation corridors, and commercial activity moving downstream.
Lt. Col. Darryl Kothmann, deputy commander of the USACE Galveston District, joined Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston City Council Member Amy Peck, Dr. Tina Petersen of the Harris County Flood Control District, Justin Schultz of the Houston Parks Board, and other federal, state and local leaders for the ceremony.
“The drainage reservoirs of this project will hold enough water to fill nearly 1,500 Olympic swimming pools – water that will not be flooding houses and businesses here,” said Kothmann. “This is a powerful example of multi-purpose infrastructure, providing not only critical flood protection but also valuable recreational amenities for the community.”
Kothmann noted that White Oak Bayou ultimately flows into the Houston Ship Channel, adding, “This project also helps protect a critical energy corridor. Stronger infrastructure upstream supports the safe and efficient flow of commerce through the Port of Houston – sustaining jobs, supporting regional industry, and reinforcing America’s energy security and dominance.”
The White Oak Bayou project builds on earlier federal flood control work and marks a major milestone in ensuring strategic resilience for the Houston region and the Nation.