In the low elevation areas, generally nearest to the coast, as much as 13 feet of subsidence has been measured from 1906 to current (See map of Subsidence 1906-2000 below). The Brownwood Subdivision in the City of Baytown is a perfect example of the effects of subsidence in coastal areas. Brownwood is now mostly underwater and has been turned into a nature center by the City of Baytown. Further inland, subsidence is not as evident because the relationship to sea-level is not as apparent, but still of great concern. The land surface of the greater Houston area is very flat and therefore prone to flooding. From 1978 to 2000, as much as 7 feet of subsidence has been measured in northwest Harris County (See map of Subsidence 1978-2000 below). By continuing to over pump groundwater, we potentially change drainage patterns of creeks and bayous, increasing flow into some areas and decreasing flow out of other areas.
