According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the greater Houston area has been more adversely impacted by subsidence than any other metropolitan area in the U.S. Extensive subsidence has caused damage to the areaā€™s infrastructure and has increased the frequency of flooding. While regional land subsidence can be subtle and difficult to detect, there are locations in and near Houston where as much as 10 feet of subsidence has occurred. The conversion to surface water—mandated by the Harris Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) is designed to mitigate subsidence and give aquifers the opportunity to recharge.
Images and article courtesy of the WHCRWA. You can find their newsletter here.