CASE STUDY 31 — FM 1485 Storage Expansion Existing Storage Facility Expansion | Civil Engineering Design

PROJECT OVERVIEW
JRH Engineering provided complete civil engineering design for the expansion of an existing storage facility in New Caney, Texas. The site had a limited storm sewer outfall and the owner wanted to maximize usable area — including, if possible, using the required detention area for additional storage. JRH designed a drainage swale and lift station combination that minimized the pond footprint and surfaced the detention pond with crushed concrete, converting it to dual-use boat and trailer storage when not holding water.

AT A GLANCE

Site Civil & Drainage Design

● Full civil design for storage facility expansion including grading, paving, access, and drainage

● Drainage swale designed along the access road — directing stormwater efficiently to the detention area while minimizing underground storm sewer requirements

● Lift station specified to minimize required detention pond footprint — smaller pond, more land available for storage

● Detention pond surfaced with crushed concrete — dual-use design allows boat and trailer storage on the pond surface when it is not holding stormwater

Permitting & Agency Coordination

● City of New Caney and TxDOT approvals pursued concurrently

● Dual-use pond surface design reviewed and approved as part of the drainage permit — storage use on detention surface documented as compatible with drainage function

● Complete submission package on first submittal

THE CHALLENGE
A detention pond on a storage facility is dead weight — it takes up space that could be generating storage revenue. The limited outfall condition further constrained the drainage options. The owner wanted to know if there was a way to get drainage compliance without giving up the land entirely.

JRH's Approach
The answer was a dual-use pond surface. By finishing the detention pond floor with crushed concrete, the pond becomes a usable parking surface for boats and trailers during dry conditions — it drains quickly after rain events and is back in storage service. A lift station reduced the pond's footprint, and a roadside drainage swale eliminated the need for a more expensive underground storm sewer along the access road. The result was a detention facility that generates revenue between rain events.

The Result
A fully permitted storage facility expansion with a detention pond that doubles as rentable boat and trailer storage — turning a drainage requirement into a revenue-generating asset.

RESULTS

● Detention pond converted to dual-use storage — crushed concrete surface allows boat and trailer storage when pond is not holding water

● Pond footprint minimized through lift station — more land available for storage operations

● Drainage swale eliminated need for underground storm sewer along access road — cost savings passed to the expansion budget