Recently there has been controversy over the City of Houston\u2019s role in allowing residential development<\/a> on more than 100 acres of an unused golf course on Gessner Road in west Houston just east of Addicks Reservoir. Discussion has focused on the folly (and taxpayer burden) of constructing (federally-insured) homes in a floodplain.<\/p>\n But the more critical issue is that local golf courses, including this particular golf course, have been identified as one of the few remaining sources of undeveloped land vitally needed for detaining stormwater and reducing flooding in our highly developed city.<\/p>\n The golf course in question, Pine Crest, drains into Brickhouse Gully, which in turn drains into White Oak Bayou. Both streams are among the top ten fastest rising streams by flow in the state of Texas, according to a recent study by hydrologist Matthew Berg<\/a>. Also in the top ten is Cole Creek, which flows into the same spot, pointed out Berg in a recent interview.<\/p>\n The decision to allow development of this open space, instead of using it for stormwater detention, is a prime example of creating a moral hazard<\/a>: placing people in harm\u2019s way knowing that others will pick up the tab for the damages.<\/p>\n The 150-acre site of the former Pine Crest golf course on Gessner and Clay roads in west Houston. Culvert in upper right drains into Brickhouse Gully, which has one of the fastest rising streamflows in Texas. Google Earth image Oct. 28, 2017<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Neighborhoods along all of these streams have experienced repeated flooding, reported the Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium, a group of local scientific experts organized after Harvey. The consortium recommended creating detention, among other remedies, along these streams in its recently released report. (p. 44).<\/a><\/p>\nNo Dispute: This Green Space Is Urgently Needed to Hold Rain Runoff<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.savebuffalobayou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Pine-Crest-10.28.17.jpg\")
<\/a>