Monsoon season is always a good reminder that storm preparation starts long before the clouds roll in. In Henderson, the city is using some impressive technology behind the scenes to help keep the community’s stormwater system ready before heavy rain, flash flooding, and fast-moving runoff become a problem.
What I like about this is that it shows how much work happens before residents ever notice an issue. The City of Henderson’s Land Surveying team is using drones equipped with green LiDAR, a high-tech mapping tool that can measure ground surfaces — even beneath shallow water. That matters because stormwater infrastructure is not just streets and drains. It also includes washes, detention basins, drainage areas, and natural spaces that help move water safely through the city.
The drones help create detailed 3D maps of important stormwater areas. Those maps give city crews a clearer picture of changing conditions, which can help them plan maintenance, identify potential trouble spots, and better protect the infrastructure that keeps water flowing during storm season. In a desert city where rain can arrive quickly and hit hard, that kind of information is valuable.
A few key details stand out:
Henderson is preparing for monsoon season before storms arrive
City crews work year-round on stormwater readiness
The Land Surveying team is using drones with green LiDAR
Green LiDAR can measure ground surfaces beneath shallow water
The technology creates detailed 3D maps
Crews are mapping washes, detention basins, and critical drainage areas
The data helps guide maintenance and future projects
Drone use can reduce disruption to plants and wildlife
The goal is to keep stormwater moving safely through the community
Another important part of this is efficiency. Using drones allows the city to collect detailed information while minimizing the need for crews to physically disturb sensitive natural areas. That can help protect plants, wildlife, and desert landscapes while still giving engineers and maintenance teams the information they need.
This is especially important in Henderson because our stormwater system has to handle a lot of extremes. Most of the year, washes and basins may look dry or quiet. But during monsoon season, those same areas can become essential pathways for moving water away from neighborhoods, roads, and public infrastructure. Having accurate maps helps the city stay ahead of those changes.
It is also a good reminder that modern city maintenance is not just trucks, shovels, and concrete. Sometimes it is drones flying overhead, survey crews gathering data, and technology helping teams see what is happening below the surface. That behind-the-scenes work may not get much attention, but it plays a real role in community safety.
My take is this: Henderson’s use of drones and green LiDAR is a smart example of how technology can make local government more proactive, efficient, and environmentally aware. The next time you see a drone overhead in a wash or stormwater area, it may not just be flying around — it may be helping the city prepare for the next storm before the first drop of rain falls.
Important City Information
Topic: High-Tech Help Before the Rain
Agency: City of Henderson
Focus: Monsoon season preparation and stormwater system maintenance
Team Involved: Land Surveying team
Technology Used: Drones equipped with green LiDAR
Purpose: Create detailed 3D maps of washes, detention basins, and other critical stormwater areas
Key Benefit: Helps city crews understand changing conditions, plan maintenance, and protect stormwater infrastructure
Environmental Benefit: Allows crews to collect data efficiently while minimizing impacts to plants and wildlife
Why It Matters: Helps keep water moving safely through Henderson during monsoon storms and flash-flood conditions
Community Reminder: Stormwater preparation happens year-round, long before the first storm arrives.
