Feature Illustration: The new Harris County Swift Water Rescue Training Facility will provide first responders from agencies throughout the region with hands-on training in swift water and high-risk environments. Image: PGAL.
Posted: 5-5-2026
Houston (Harris County) — County officials are moving closer to construction on a first-of-its-kind public safety project, with groundbreaking expected in the coming months for a dedicated Swift Water Rescue Training Facility in the north portion of the city.
The roughly $7 million project, funded through the voter-approved 2022 Public Safety Bond, will be developed at 1731 Hugh Road and is currently in the design phase. The facility is being delivered through a collaboration that includes the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Harris County Office of the County Engineer, Phoenix, Arizona-based Kitchell as the general contractor, and PGAL as the project architect. Construction is anticipated to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2027.
The scope of work centers on building a specialized, purpose-built training environment designed to simulate real-world flood and swift water rescue conditions. Planned features will allow first responders to train in controlled, high-risk scenarios, including moving water channels and flood simulations that support hands-on instruction. The facility will accommodate training in water rescue techniques, hazard avoidance such as entrapment scenarios, swimming proficiency, team coordination, and emergency response strategies.
Once complete, the facility will serve as a regional training hub for law enforcement and first responders, addressing a longstanding gap in dedicated water rescue infrastructure in the Houston area. With the region’s history of severe flooding events, the project is intended to improve preparedness and response capabilities, ultimately enhancing life-saving operations during disasters. The initiative also reflects broader investment in resilient public safety infrastructure as Harris County continues to respond to increasing flood risks along the Gulf Coast.
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