Goforth Park Gets Major Flood Control Upgrade with New Stormwater Pump System
For those who live near Goforth Park or spend time walking its trails, you’ll soon notice some major upgrades happening—ones that go far beyond beautification. Harris County Precinct 3 is launching a new stormwater detention enhancement project that’s all about helping the community stay safer during storms.
This project includes installing a state-of-the-art pump system designed to lower the park’s lake level before major rainfall hits. Why? So there’s more room to hold stormwater—up to 247 acre-feet of it, to be exact. That’s about 121 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of extra capacity in the Horsepen Creek watershed.
Why It Matters
The new pump at Goforth is part of a larger strategy to reduce flood risk in West Houston neighborhoods. When storms roll in, detention ponds like the one at Goforth Park help slow down and hold excess rainwater, preventing it from overwhelming local drainage systems.
But these ponds can only hold so much—unless you lower the water before a storm hits. That’s exactly what this new system will do: automatically pump water out before a storm, creating extra space to catch incoming rain. It’s a smart, proactive way to handle Houston’s unpredictable weather.
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One of Two Pilot Projects
Located at 9118 Wheat Cross Dr, Houston, TX 77095, Goforth Park is actually the second of two pilot projects aimed at testing this type of flood-control tech. The first one launched at Cypress Park, and both are part of Harris County’s ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure and protect neighborhoods as storm intensity continues to rise.
Goforth Park offers 188 acres of trails, a lake, a playground, and a dog park. Maintained by Harris County Precinct 3, the park features restrooms, picnic areas, workout stations, and separate spaces for large and small dogs—with water access and a dog washing station. With entrances from Wheat Cross Drive and Barker Cypress Road, it's a perfect spot for walking, playing, or fishing close to home.
What You Need to Know
- Project Name: Detention Pond Enhancement – Goforth Park
- What’s Happening: Pump installation to lower lake levels before storms
- Goal: Boost stormwater detention to reduce local flood risk
- Detention Increase: Holds up to 247 acre-feet of water
- Cost: $4.5 million
- Contractor: Environmental Allies
- Funding Partner: Harris County Flood Control District
- Construction Timeline: Now underway, with completion expected by Q4 of 2025
- Have Questions? Call 713-274-3100
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What This Means for You
Whether you’re a local homeowner or someone who frequents the park, this project means greater peace of mind when storms are in the forecast. It’s a visible example of your tax dollars going to work—literally pumping up flood protection where it’s needed most.
And while the detention pond pump installation is an infrastructure upgrade, at its core, it’s about community. It's about protecting homes, preserving green spaces like Goforth Park, and making the Cypress area more resilient in the face of future storms.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
