Editing Sugar Land, Texas (section)

==Geography==
[[File:SugarLandTXMap.gif|right|thumb|Map of Sugar Land]]
Sugar&nbsp;Land is located in northeast Fort Bend County, {{convert|20|mi}} southwest of downtown Houston. It is bordered by Houston to the northeast, and by [[Stafford, Texas|Stafford]], [[Missouri City, Texas|Missouri City]], and [[Meadows Place, Texas|Meadows Place]] to the east. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city of Sugar Land has a total area of {{convert|111.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|104.8|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|6.3|km2|order=flip}}, or 5.7%, are covered by water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019"/> The elevation of most of the city is between {{convert|70|and|90|ft}} above sea level. The elevation of [[Sugar Land Regional Airport]] (SGR) is {{convert|82|ft}}.

Sugar Land has two major waterways running through the city. The southwestern and southern portion of the city were developed along the Brazos River, which runs into [[Brazoria County, Texas|Brazoria County]]. [[Oyster Creek (Texas)|Oyster Creek]] runs from the northwest to the eastern portion of the city limits and into Missouri City. Sugar Land developers have built many artificial lakes connecting to Oyster Creek or the Brazos River, as part of new master-planned communities.<!-- Relation to floodplains? Effects here during the last hurricanes? -->

Sugar Land and other surrounding areas are [[subsidence|subsiding]] and the rate of subsidence is increasing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/10/17/suburbs-sinking-at-a-substantial-rate-in-the-woodlands-spring-katy-and-mont-belvieu-study-shows/ | title=Suburbs sinking at a substantial rate in the Woodlands, Spring, Katy and Mont Belvieu, study shows |website=Click2houston.com |date=October 17, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://txpub.usgs.gov/houston_subsidence/ | title=USGS &#124; Gulf Coast Aquifer Subsidence|website=Txpub.usgs.gov }}</ref> The area sunk about 1 foot between 1943 and 1964, while it sunk over 6 feet between 1988 and 2016<ref name="storymaps.arcgis.com">{{cite web | url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f110a5148a43409993737913d10d5639 | title=Land Subsidence in Fort Bend County, TX|website=Storymaps.arcgis.com | date=July 28, 2021 }}</ref> Currently, it is estimated that Sugar Land is subsiding at a rate of between 10 and 25 millimeters per year.<ref name="storymaps.arcgis.com"/> The subsidence is exacerbated by [[Climate Change]], increased suburban development, and inadequate replenishment.<ref name="storymaps.arcgis.com"/> The subsidence has significant human cost. For example, the historic flooding caused by [[Hurricane Harvey]] was worse than it would have otherwise been due to the effect,<ref name="storymaps.arcgis.com"/> and houses and buildings in the city are sinking and having their foundations damaged.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/article/Homes-in-The-Woodlands-could-sink-by-more-than-a-16752150.php | title=Homes in the Woodlands could sink by more than a foot over decades under new groundwater guidelines|website=Houstonchronicle.com | date=January 6, 2022 }}</ref> To manage the rapidly increasing subsidence, the Texas State Legislature created the Fort Bend Subsidence District in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbsubsidence.org/|title=Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) - Fort Bend County, Texas|website=Fbsubsidence.org|access-date=July 22, 2023}}</ref> The [[United States Geological Survey|US Geologic Survey]] and the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|US Army Corps of Engineers]] have performed studies and monitoring of the subsidence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Portals/26/docs/Library/LBITPTXAM.pdf|title=Purpose of and Need for the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project|website=Swg.usace.army.mil|access-date=July 22, 2023}}</ref>

===Hydrology===
Sugar Land sits atop three [[aquifers]]: Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper. The Chicot and Evangeline Aquifers have been the primary source of municipal water for Sugar Land, Houston, Galveston and other surrounding areas. The Jasper Aquifer is the only one of the three that is not used to extract drinking water.<ref name="twdb.texas.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.twdb.texas.gov/publications/reports/numbered_reports/doc/R155/R155_mainText.pdf|title=GROUND-WATER RESOURCES OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS : REPORT 155|website=Twdb.texas.gov|access-date=July 22, 2023}}</ref> Due to the rapid building of suburbs in the city and surrounding region, aquifer replenishment has significantly decreased.<ref name="twdb.texas.gov"/> The city government has enacted a program to manage the aquifers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/331/Groundwater-Reduction-Program | title=Groundwater Reduction Program &#124; Sugar Land, TX - Official Website }}</ref>

===Geology===
Underpinning the area's land surface are unconsolidated [[clay]]s, clay [[shale]]s, and poorly cemented [[sand]]s, extending to depths of several miles. The region's [[geology]] developed from stream deposits from the erosion of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. These [[sediment]]s consist of a series of sands and clays deposited on decaying organic matter that, over time, were transformed into [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[natural gas]]. Beneath these tiers is a water-deposited layer of [[halite]], a rock salt. The porous layers were compressed over time and forced upward. As it pushed upward, the salt dragged surrounding sediments into dome shapes, often trapping oil and gas that seeped from the surrounding porous sands.

The region is [[earthquake]]-free. While the neighboring city of Houston contains 86 mapped and historically active surface [[Fault (geology)|faults]] with an aggregate length of {{convert|149|mi|km}}, the clay below the surface in Sugar Land precludes the buildup of friction that produces ground shaking in earthquakes. These faults move only very gradually in what is termed "fault creep".

===Climate===
Sugar Land's climate is classified as being [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]], featuring two seasons, a [[wet season]] from April to October, and a [[dry season]] from November to March. The city is located in the Gulf coastal plains [[biome]], and the vegetation is classified as a temperate [[grassland]]. The average yearly precipitation is 48&nbsp;inches. Prevailing winds are from the south and southeast during most of the year, bringing heat and moisture from the [[Gulf of Mexico]].

In the summer, daily high temperatures are in the 95&nbsp;°F (35&nbsp;°C) range throughout much of July and August. The air tends to feel still and the abundant humidity, with dewpoints typically in the low to mid 70°Fs, creates a heat index around 100&nbsp;°F each day. Summer thunderstorms are common with 30 to 50% of the days having thunder. The highest temperature recorded in the area was 109&nbsp;°F in August 2023.

Winters in the area are cool and mild. The average winter high/low is 62/45&nbsp;°F (16/7&nbsp;°C). The coldest period is usually in January, when north winds bring winter rains. Snow is almost unheard of and typically does not accumulate. One such rare [[snowstorm]] hit Houston on [[2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm|Christmas Eve]] 2004. A few inches accumulated, but had melted by the next afternoon. The earliest snowfall to occur in any winter fell on December 4, 2009.

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|Feb high C= 18.7
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|May high C= 29.8
|Jun high C= 32.6	
|Jul high C= 34.3
|Aug high C= 34.2
|Sep high C= 31.7
|Oct high C= 27.6
|Nov high C= 22.2
|Dec high C= 17.9
|year high C= 26.2
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|Mar low C= 10.8
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|Jun low C= 22.3
|Jul low C= 23.6
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|Sep low C= 20.8
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|Jan precipitation inch= 4.06
|Feb precipitation inch= 2.98
|Mar precipitation inch= 3.24
|Apr precipitation inch= 3.48
|May precipitation inch= 4.69
|Jun precipitation inch= 5.51
|Jul precipitation inch= 3.30
|Aug precipitation inch= 4.29
|Sep precipitation inch= 5.82
|Oct precipitation inch= 4.03
|Nov precipitation inch= 4.58
|Dec precipitation inch= 3.36
|year precipitation inch= 49.34
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|source 1= <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/TX/TX418728.php |title=Sugar Land, Texas, USA Weather Data |publisher=Climate-Charts.com |access-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513151741/http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/TX/TX418728.php |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|date=April 2012}}

=== Districts and communities ===
{{Main|Geographic areas of Sugar Land, Texas}}

[[Image:SugarLakes.JPG|thumb|Sugar Lakes planned community]]
Sugar Land has the most master-planned communities in Fort Bend County, which is home to the largest number of master-planned communities in the nation—including [[First Colony]], [[Greatwood (Sugar Land, Texas)|Greatwood]], [[New Territory]], [[Telfair, Sugar Land|Telfair]], Sugar Creek, River Park, Imperial, [[Riverstone (Sugar Land, Texas)|Riverstone]] and many others. Many of the communities feature [[golf course]]s, [[country club]]s, and lakes. The first master-planned community to be developed in Sugar Land was Sugar Creek. There are now a total of thirteen master-planned communities located in Sugar Land's [[city limits]] and its [[extraterritorial jurisdiction]] combined.

The northern portion of Sugar Land, sometimes referred to by residents and government officials as "Old Sugar Land", comprises all the communities north of [[U.S. Route 90 Alternate (Texas)|U.S. Highway 90A]], but it also includes the subdivisions/areas of Venetian Estates, and Belknap/Brookside, which is just south of U.S. 90A. Most of this area was the original city limits of Sugar Land when it was incorporated in 1959. Located in this part of town is the former Imperial Sugar Company refinery and distribution center that was shut down in 2003, even though the company's headquarters are still located within the city. To the east of northern Sugar Land is the Sugar Land Business Park, the largest business and industrial area in the city. Many of the city's electronic and energy companies are located here, including the future North American headquarters of [[Schlumberger]]. The Imperial master-planned community, including Constellation Field and the future Imperial Market development, is also located in north Sugar Land.

The largest economic and entertainment activities are in the areas of south and southeastern Sugar Land. Most of the population in the city limits are concentrated here. This area is all master-planned communities and it includes nearly all of [[First Colony, Sugar Land, Texas|First Colony]], the largest in Sugar Land encompassing {{convert|10,000|acre|km2}}. Other master-planned communities in this area are Sugar Creek, Sugar Lakes, Commonwealth, Avalon, [[Telfair, Sugar Land|Telfair]], and [[Riverstone (Sugar Land, Texas)|Riverstone]]. This area is the location of First Colony Mall, Sugar Land Town Square, the new Sugar Land City Hall, and other major commercial areas. This area boasts a wide range of recreational activities including three golf courses and country clubs, including [[Sweetwater Country Club]] (the former home of the [[LPGA]]), as well as the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center (formerly Sugar Land Aerodrome).

The southwestern area of Sugar Land was recently annexed into the city limits, and is sometimes referred to as the "other side of the river". This is due to this area being separated from the rest of Sugar Land by the [[Brazos River]], as well as being served by the [[Lamar Consolidated Independent School District]]. The southwest side has two master-planned communities, Greatwood and River Park. Other communities in this area are Canyon Gate on the Brazos and Tara Colony, the latter an older large subdivision which has a Richmond address but is actually in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of Sugar&nbsp;Land and up for future annexation.

The western portion of Sugar Land was also fully incorporated into the [[city limits]] in 2017. It is home to two master-planned communities, New Territory and Telfair, the latter of which was previously prison farm land owned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It was sold in 2003 and annexed to the city limits by Sugar Land in 2004. A new highway, [[Texas State Highway 99|State Highway 99]] (more commonly known as the "Grand Parkway"), opened in 1994 as a major arterial in this area. North of this area and U.S. Highway 90A is the [[Sugar Land Regional Airport]] and the recently decommissioned Texas Department of Corrections [[Central Unit]], which in 2011 became the first Texas prison to be closed without a replacement facility and is being targeted by the city for future light industrial development.