Clear Lake City Water Authority finishes work on Phase 2 of Exploration Green (Source: Community Impact Newspaper)

By Colleen Ferguson

Clear Lake City Water Authority completed work on the second phase of Exploration Green, a 178-acre former golf course turned stormwater detention pond between El Camino Real, Bay Area Boulevard and Space Center Boulevard, according to a Sept. 30 media release.

Exploration Green was named in honor of the community’s local exploration legacy and its proximity to Johnson Space Center, per the release. Once finished, the conservancy will protect 2,000 to 3,000 surrounding homes from flooding in 12 to 15 inches of rain, leaders said.

National planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. is the project’s design engineer. CLCWA, the local provider of water, sewage collection and treatment, and storm drainage services, partners with Exploration Green to develop and preserve the nonprofit’s green spaces.

“With the recently completed Phase 2 undergoing a test from Tropical Storm Beta, it was a great indicator to see how well Phase 1 and 2 integrated together,” Jennifer Morrow, CLCWA’s general manager, said in the release. “This opportunity to provide retrofitted detention to a community previously struggling with drainage has been a huge benefit so far, and we are looking forward to completing the entire project.”

“Communities throughout Texas are looking for ways to mitigate major flooding events like Harvey, Imelda and Beta,” said Wayne Swafford, LAN’s president, in the release. “Exploration Green is transforming Clear Lake from a flood-prone community into one of the most flood-resilient communities in Texas. In addition, it is creating a healthy, sustainable neighborhood for its residents.”