Phase 3A of Exploration Green Now Complete (Source: Community Impact Newspaper)

By Jake Magee

Phase 3A of Exploration Green, a 178-acre flood control project in the Clear Lake area, is now complete, according to an Oct. 15 press release from Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, the project’s design engineer.

Exploration Green, which was named due to the community’s legacy for exploration and proximity to the Johnson Space Center, is a former golf course that is being converted into five detention ponds, each of which can hold 100 million gallons of stormwater, protecting up to 3,000 homes from flooding. Additionally, Exploration Green serves as a nature park of 105 acres of natural habitat with wetlands and native grasses, attracting birds and other wildlife; 6 miles of hike and bike trails; two athletic fields; and other amenities, according to the release.

Phase 3A includes a 16.6-acre detention pond, 11.4 acres of natural habitat and wetlands and 0.8 miles of trails. Phase 3B, which will be completed next summer, includes an 11.3-acre pond, 12.2 acres of habitat and 0.67 miles of trails.