A $100 million flood risk reduction initiative
For decades, Hunting Bayou has carried more than water — it has carried the weight of repeated flooding for the communities along Houston's northeast side. What was once a modest drainage corridor became overwhelmed during major storm events, with water spilling into streets, homes, and businesses, especially in low-lying communities that were already vulnerable.
The Hunting Bayou Channel Improvements Project, commonly referred to as Project Hunting, is a major flood risk reduction initiative led by the Harris County Flood Control District in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, estimated to cost $100 million. The project was initiated to increase the bayou's capacity to safely convey stormwater and reduce flood risk, extending from US 59 to downstream of North Wayside Drive across approximately four miles of Hunting Bayou. Major improvements included:
- Widening and deepening sections of the bayou
- Replacing 9 bridges and modifying 8 existing bridges, including channel conveyance improvements beneath them
- Relocating utilities and drainage infrastructure
- Constructing the 75-acre Homestead Detention Basin, a large regional stormwater detention facility
Quality assurance across every phase of construction
Our team supported this transformative flood mitigation project through comprehensive Construction Materials Testing (CMT) and inspection services, providing critical quality assurance across all phases of construction — including earthwork, structural components, channel stabilization, and infrastructure interfaces — ensuring compliance with the stringent local, state, and federal standards associated with flood control projects.
Through proactive field support and rigorous testing, we contributed to the successful delivery of infrastructure that not only mitigates flood risk but has become an important example of long-term regional resiliency planning in Harris County. This project demonstrates ATL's ability to provide consistent field support across multi-year, multi-phase flood control programs with sustained quality assurance for our partners.
