La Porte committee hears 100‑acre‑foot pond update; project about 60% complete

Ray Mayo reported to the La Porte Drainage and Flooding Committee that the 100‑acre‑foot detention pond is progressing faster than the packet indicated, with recent drone footage showing the project was "about 60% completed" as of two weeks earlier. He said the dry weather has accelerated work and thanked the fire and police departments for capturing aerial video.

Mayo described the pond as constructed in two compartments separated by a pipeline and a flow tray set at a specific elevation to divert water from the main channel into the north basin, allow transfer to the south basin, and return flow to the channel as water levels recede. "The pond both of these compartments together are designed to accept 100 acre feet of water," he said, and staff calculated that is roughly 32,500,000 gallons. He estimated "60 to 90 days" should complete the remaining work, noting crews’ weekend schedules were uncertain.

Committee members asked technical follow‑ups about inlets, outlets and the cemented bottom tray; Mayo pointed to an identified outflow that returns to the main channel and explained the inlet that allows groundwater to drain and help preserve bank stability. Members praised the drone footage as helpful for visualizing the project. The committee did not take further formal action on the item; staff said they may request additional photos or video of the finished basin.