42% of Houston Land Is Rapidly Sinking Every Year

A recent scientific study has revealed a shocking reality about Houston, Texas — the city is sinking, and fast. According to new research using satellite data, 42% of Houston’s land is sinking at a rate greater than 5 millimeters per year. This makes Houston the fastest-sinking major city in the United States and one of the most vulnerable to flooding and climate-related disasters.

What Is Causing Houston to Sink?

The primary cause of the sinking, or land subsidence, is the excessive extraction of groundwater from underground aquifers. Over the decades, as the city grew in population and industrial development, massive amounts of groundwater were pumped out to meet demand. When water is removed faster than it can be naturally replenished, the land above collapses and sinks.

This issue is not new. In fact, parts of Harris County have experienced subsidence for over 50 years. However, what’s alarming is the accelerating speed at which this is now happening across much of the Houston metropolitan area.

A 2024 study published in Geophysical Research Letters confirms this trend, using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to measure ground deformation. You can read the full research on AGU Publications.

Which Areas Are Most Affected?

Not all of Houston is sinking at the same pace. The worst-affected areas include:

• Northwest and Southeast Houston, where subsidence rates exceed 1.5 inches (40 mm) per year.
• Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, which show widespread land shifts.
• Neighborhoods near Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, critical areas for flood control, are also experiencing noticeable sinking.

A detailed review by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which you can explore here, outlines how this long-term issue continues to evolve.

The Growing Risk of Flooding

With the land slowly dropping, Houston becomes more susceptible to severe flooding — a concern that already haunts the region. The devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 is still fresh in residents’ memories. That historic storm dumped 33 trillion gallons of rain and submerged entire neighborhoods.

Now, with parts of the city sinking, stormwater has fewer escape routes. Drainage systems designed decades ago are no longer efficient in handling runoff. If a similar storm were to hit again, the damage would be even worse.

Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warn that a combination of sinking land and rising sea levels could result in “flooding on steroids” in the coming years. Learn more about the impact of land changes on flooding from NOAA’s reports.

Climate Change Makes It Worse

Climate change is adding to Houston’s sinking problem in more than one way. Warmer temperatures increase the need for water, which means more groundwater extraction. In addition, sea-level rise from melting ice caps and warming oceans brings more moisture into the air — leading to heavier storms and rainfall events.

As Houston becomes more urbanized, natural water absorption areas are replaced with concrete, further compounding the situation. The city is facing a perfect storm of environmental factors that make the subsidence problem more urgent than ever.

Economic and Structural Consequences

The sinking land also has direct consequences for Houston’s economy and infrastructure. Roads, pipelines, bridges, and buildings are under constant stress as the ground shifts unevenly.

• Foundation cracks, especially in suburban homes, are becoming more common.
• Gas and water pipelines are at risk of bending or breaking.
• Public utilities like sewer lines and electrical systems may require frequent repairs.

The cost of maintaining this aging infrastructure could run into billions of dollars over the next decade if no action is taken soon. According to a 2023 study by Rice University, infrastructure damage from subsidence in Houston could cost the city upwards of $20 billion by 2040. Read the university’s full insights here.

What Is Being Done About It?

To combat subsidence, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) was formed back in the 1970s. One of its main goals is to reduce groundwater usage and switch to surface water from lakes and rivers. This strategy has helped reduce the rate of land sinking in certain zones, but it’s not enough.

More recent proposals include:

• Stronger land-use policies and zoning regulations to restrict construction in high-risk areas.
• Investment in smart infrastructure that can adapt to changing ground levels.
• Public education campaigns to encourage water conservation.

Organizations like Houston Public Works are also investing in projects to modernize the city’s drainage systems and upgrade pipelines affected by shifting soil.

What Can Residents Do?

While major infrastructure changes are a long-term solution, individual residents can also contribute to preventing further subsidence:

• Limit unnecessary water usage at home.
• Use rainwater harvesting systems where possible.
• Advocate for local and state policies that prioritize climate adaptation.
• Participate in community awareness programs about land subsidence and environmental protection.

By understanding how local behavior impacts the land beneath their feet, citizens can become part of the solution.

Final Thoughts

Houston’s sinking crisis is a wake-up call for cities around the world facing similar challenges. The mix of rapid urban growth, unsustainable water use, and climate pressure has created a dangerous situation for millions of people.

The path forward will require cooperation between scientists, city planners, government bodies, and residents. Houston must adapt now — before the land beneath it disappears forever.

For a deeper look into urban sinking trends across the globe, check out this article by National Geographic.

Also Read – How CAPREIT Became a Top Workplace in the USA for 2025