HOUSTON, TX — The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Texas awarded civil engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) a gold medal for its work on the first phase of the Clear Lake flood control project in Harris County.

The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition has been held by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas since its inception in 1975 to honor and recognize outstanding achievements within the engineering community. A panel of judges around the state select projects based on innovation, future value to the engineering profession, social and economic considerations, complexity and exceeding the client’s needs.

The project, named Exploration Green in honor of the community’s local exploration legacy and its proximity to Johnson Space Center, is transforming a former 178-acre golf course into five massive detention ponds that can each hold 100 million gallons of stormwater (the equivalent of 750 Olympic-sized swimming pools).

In addition, Exploration Green will also serve as a nature park comprising 105 acres of natural habitat with wetlands and native grass land areas, 12 miles of hike-and-bike trails, two athletic fields and other amenities. The first phase of the project, which was completed in April 2018, includes a 23.7-acre detention pond, 15.2 acres of natural habitat with wetlands and 1.25 miles of hike-and-bike trails.

Clear Lake City Water Authority (CLCWA), the local provider of water, sewage collection and treatment, and storm drainage services, is spearheading the project. Exploration Green Conservancy, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is serving as CLCWA’s partner to develop and preserve the project’s green spaces. LAN is the project’s design engineer.

Building the detention ponds has already turned out to be beneficial to the community. In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey came ashore creating a storm of an intensity and duration unparalleled in Houston history. The hurricane dumped an estimated 45 inches of rainfall on the Clear Lake area and even more in some surrounding neighborhoods.

Although only 80 percent of the Phase 1 pond was excavated at the time of the hurricane, it helped detain 100 million gallons of water, protecting at least 150 homes from flooding. Ultimately, Exploration Green will protect 2,000 to 3,000 homes.

“Communities throughout Texas are looking for ways to mitigate flooding events like Hurricane Harvey,” said Wayne Swafford, PE, LAN’s President. “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.”