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Waller Creek Flood-Management and Water Quality Improvements

Summary

A flood-diversion tunnel is to be constructed from W. 15th Street at Waller Creek to Town Lake. The tunnel will be some 60 feet below the surface and about 22 feet in diameter. The project will result in floodwaters being contained within the existing Waller Creek channel and will allow development near the creek.

Status

The Austin City Council approved the contract for project engineering services on May 20. Preliminary engineering studies are underway. The first project public meeting was held June 29. The scope of preliminary engineering studies and project schedule were discussed at the meeting. The preliminary engineering phase is to be completed in February 2000. Another project public meeting will be held in late November or early December of this year. The findings of the preliminary engineering studies will be presented at the second public meeting.

Description

The tunnel will be 22 feet in diameter, 5,500 feet long and will intercept creek flows in Waterloo Park below 15th Street and discharge to Town Lake. The project will remove 42 commercial and residential structures and 12 roadway crossings from the 100-year floodplain.

The natural baseflow (the sustained flow in a stream) of Waller Creek will be preserved and augmented by re-circulation of water through the tunnel, a water quality benefit. The diversion of flood flows will allow development along the banks which is currently prohibited by floodplain ordinance.

Two tunnel alignments are being studied in the preliminary engineering phase of the project. Both alignments will originate near W. 15th and Waller Creek. One alignment will generally be beneath Trinity Street. The other alignment will be under Red River Street. The alternate alignments will be equally effective relative to reducing the water-surface elevation of Waller Creek during flood flows. One alignment may be less costly than the other and offer other benefits.

In addition, the project will include stabilization of eroding stream banks from Fifth Street to Town Lake to protect properties and also improve water quality.

Construction is expected to start in July 2001 and be completed in July 2003.

Basic Data

Project Contact: Gary M. Kosut, P.E., Watershed Protection Utility, 499-3374
Estimated Project Cost: $25,000,000

Revised July 14,1999

Back to the July 1999 Contents


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