Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) celebrated the completion of the Meyergrove Detention Basin with a ribbon cutting and walk through of the basin with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, and Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen.  Completed in December 2024, the Meyergrove Detention Basin is a 7.5-acre stormwater detention basin that will support water overflow for more than 27 million gallons of stormwater during heavy rain events to prevent flooding of nearby residences, commercial buildings, and roadways.  The project is a result of a partnership between the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District, and Congresswoman Fletcher.

“The Meyergrove Detention Basin project is a much-needed improvement in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District that will have a real impact on the people of this community, and I was so glad to join Councilmember Kamin, Commissioner Ellis, and Director Petersen today in celebrating its completion,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The Meyergrove Detention Basin reminds us why infrastructure investments are so important, what they can do, and why having government that works efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively is what we need, deserve, and can have.”

"I am grateful for Congresswoman Fletcher’s bold leadership and her commitment to protecting our neighborhoods,” said Council Member Abbie Kamin.  “This project, years in the making, is an important step for a more resilient Houston.  As we tackle flood mitigation efforts head on, today is a reminder of how critical these dollars are for our community.  As we continue to push for progress, this project serves as an example of what is possible when we all work together to protect residents from extreme weather and flooding."

“This is so much more than a flood control project,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.  “This is an investment in public safety, quality of life, and access to green space for our community.  I am grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher and everyone who made this transformative project a reality.”

"The completion of the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin marks a major step in our efforts to reduce flood risks and build a more resilient community," said Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of Harris County Flood Control District.  "This project, made possible through strong partnerships and federal support, will provide critical stormwater storage to help protect homes and businesses. The success of this project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. We look forward to continuing this work, further strengthening flood mitigation for Harris County.”

In 2021, Congresswoman Fletcher requested and secured nearly $10 million in federal funding to design and construct the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin through the Community Funded Projects process in Congress.  The funding was included in the Funding for the People Act, a bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs and projects, including the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin.  President Biden signed the bill into law on March 15, 2022.  Later that month, she held a press conference to highlight funding for this project.  In February 2024, Congresswoman Fletcher joined community leaders at the project’s groundbreaking.  In July 2024, although the project was not yet complete, the basin captured water during Hurricane Beryl that would have otherwise ended up in the streets. 

The 24.31 square miles of flood reduction will benefit areas that have experienced repeated flooding events and severe damage, including from the Tax Day and Memorial Day Floods, and from Hurricane Harvey.  The basin is part of a 2018 Bond Project to reduce flooding in the area and will be located between Brays Bayou and North Braeswood Boulevard adjacent to Interstate 610.