Clear Lake City Water Authority
900 Bay Area Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058
281-488-1164
Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Sat and Sun: Closed
Exploration Green Detention Facility
Exploration Green was created for the primary purpose of detention by retrofitting nearly 200 acres of a former golf course open green space into a series of detention ponds. When local developers expressed interest in turning the area in to a massive commercial development, residents in the community approached the CLCWA Board of Directors.
After engineers and hydrologists reviewed the feasibility of the idea the presented by the Board of Directors, voters approved bond funding, and the property was purchased. While the primary intent was for detention, it was recognized that the area could be a multi-purpose space used and enjoyed by the community.
A series of town hall meetings were held for public input which helped guide a masterplan layout created by SWA Architects which included ADA accessible trails, native trees and grasses, benches, and other amenities. The original masterplan document can be found here. Construction was divided up into Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5.
THANK YOU, There could never be a thank you big enough to show the appreciation the CLCWA has for the Galveston Bay Foundation, Harris County, City of Houston, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas General Land Office, Texas Coastal Management Program, Trees for Houston, Texas Community Watershed Partners, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Texas Master Naturalist, NOAA, and the Exploration Green Conservancy in helping to make Exploration Green Detention Facility not only a protection to our residents against flooding during a storm but a beautiful recreational space and natural habitat for our residents to enjoy. If you would like to know more about our partners in this endeavor, you can learn about each one by following the links available at the bottom of this page.
Updates / Information
Conservancy Information
https://www.explorationgreen.org/
The Exploration Green Conservancy, Inc. (EGC) has been formed and incorporated to develop, preserve and protect the land known as Exploration Green (EG).
EGC is dedicated to creating, maintaining and operating the habitat restoration and recreation facilities within Exploration Green while concurrently supporting the use of the area for storm water detention in order to:
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enhance the quality of life and outdoor experience for residents in the greater Bay Area;
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provide abundant natural habitat areas for migrating and resident wild birds, butterflies and other appropriate wildlife;
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create nature trails for hiking, biking and pedestrian commuting, athletic fields and other recreation areas;
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create functioning wetlands, lakes and other water features; and
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sponsor education efforts via area schools and other groups to enhance understanding of natural habitats, wildlife, environmental conservation, wetlands and storm water issues.
For more information on how to volunteer or contribute please visit their website at: https://www.explorationgreen.org/.
Awards
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2024 American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas Engineering Excellence Award Silver Medal Winner - ACEC Texas
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2023 Certificate of Special Recognition - City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin
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2023 Leap For Mankind Business Award - Space Center Rotary Club
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2022 Proclamation - Celebrate the Awesome Success and Looming Completion of Exploration Green - Harris County Precinct 2
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2022 Texas Environmental Excellence Award - Finalist - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TECQ)
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2021 Project Award for Public Infrastructure - Association of Water Board Directors - Texas
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2021 Treasure of the Bay – Texas Master Naturalist Galveston Bay Chapter
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2020 Engineering Excellence Award National Recognition Award – American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
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2020 Conservation Wrangler Award – Texan by Nature
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2019 Texas Engineering Excellence Award, Gold Medal for Exploration Green Phase 1 – American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Texas division
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2019 Treasure of the Bay – Texas Master Naturalist Galveston Bay Chapter
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2019 Parks and Natural Area On-the-Ground Project over $500k – H-GAC
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2019 People’s Choice Award – Urban Land Institute
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2019 Finalist, Development of Distinction – Urban Land Institute
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2018 Stormwater Management Green Infrastructure (second place) – National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA)
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2018 Exploration Green Day Proclamation – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
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2018 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition – Keep Houston Beautiful, Mayor Sylvester Turner
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2018 Guardian of the Bay – Galveston Bay Foundation
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2018 Allied World Resilience Award – National Wildlife Foundation
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2018 Special Service Award – Houston region Sierra Club
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2016 Our Great Region “Connections Award” – H-GAC
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2015 Arbor Award – Trees for Houston (Exploration Green Conservancy and Executive Board Member Debra Goode both received an annual Arbor Award from Trees For Houston, our highly acclaimed partner for acquiring, nurturing and planting native Texas trees.)
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2015 American Society of Landscape Architects Texas Chapter Honor Award – American Society of Landscape Architects
(Landscape architectural firm SWA Architecture Group, creator of the detailed Exploration Green Master Plan, received national recognition for the concept and quality of the project’s Master Plan.)
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2014 Exploration Green Day Proclamation – Houston Mayor Annise Parker
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2013 Parks and Natural Areas Award for Planning – Houston-Galveston Area Council (EGC won the Planning Award while facing stiff competition like the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, testifying to the project leadership’s clarity of vision and planning, our partner organizations in this enterprise, and the number and enthusiasm of our volunteer corps.)
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2013 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition – Keep Houston Beautiful, Mayor Annise Parker (The Office of Houston Mayor Annise Parker recognized CLCWA’s “tremendous efforts on behalf of our city.” Keep Houston Beautiful honored the Exploration Green flood control, conservation and recreation project.)
Exploration Green has been recognized in articles around the area, Texas, and the Nation.
Articles
Partnerships
CLCWA is pleased to announce partnerships with the following entities who have provided support for Exploration Green:
(Click on the logo to be directed to our partner's website)
Please note occasionally items are brought to the CLCWA that are found at Exploration Green. Please contact explorationgreen@clcwa.org to inquire about lost items.