Flood risk reduction project underway in north Austin neighborhood
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Orange and white construction signs are lined up on part of Mearns Meadow Boulevard in north Austin. That’s the site of the Little Walnut Creek Flood Risk Reduction Project.
The project’s goal is to reduce flooding for houses and roads near Little Walnut Creek between Metric Boulevard and Rutland Drive.
“They did have a flooding a couple years ago, unfortunately. It was in the midst of a construction project that was not completed.”
Watershed Protection Director Jorge Morales
Watershed Protection said the project includes a pipe to carry floodwaters, pond improvements at Quail Creek Park and upgrades to wastewater pipes. (Photo: KXAN) Watershed Protection said the project includes a pipe to carry floodwaters, pond improvements at Quail Creek Park and upgrades to wastewater pipes. (Photo: KXAN) Watershed Protection said the project includes a pipe to carry floodwaters, pond improvements at Quail Creek Park and upgrades to wastewater pipes. (Photo: KXAN) Watershed Protection said the project includes a pipe to carry floodwaters, pond improvements at Quail Creek Park and upgrades to wastewater pipes. (Photo: KXAN)
In 2023, KXAN reported on more than 60 homes flooding because debris wasn’t picked up from a creek nearby.
Watershed Protection recently started the second phase of the four part project. They’re building a large box culvert to allow water to flow under Mearns Meadow Boulevard.
“We are at the tail end of that project. We’re wrapping that up, and that project is going to divert a lot of the flows that flood the creek to be able to go into a storm system, to divert it away from the neighborhood,” said Watershed Protection Director Jorge Morales.
When crews finish, Watershed Protection said on its website that some homes will no longer be in the floodplain and others will have a lower chance of flooding.
2024 Annual Report
This project is one of several underway by the department. On Tuesday, it released its 2024 Annual Report.
Watershed Protection highlighted recent milestones like:
- Installing and replacing more than 3,000 feet of storm drain infrastructure
- Clearing debris from more than 12 miles of different waterways
- Completing over 30 construction projects and made progress on various Capital Improvement Program projects
“We have crews that go out to the creeks,” Morales said. “Crews that help inspect our infrastructure, both the pond systems that are there to mitigate the flooding, the creeks, the waterways, the storm system pipes as well.”
Along with flooding, Watershed Protection focuses on preventing erosion as well. The report mentioned that the department is almost done with its largest erosion project to date.
The Roy G. Guerrero Park Channel Stabilization Project will channel water through three large concrete structures to slow its force as it flows toward the Colorado River.
