The Great Northern Detention Pond site consists of a 20-foot high dam serving water quality and flood protection functions. The detention pond was originally built in 1978 and has been modified several times. In 2009, a modernization project was completed that enhanced the safety of the structure. A short wall was constructed, a maintenance road added, and a concrete spillway added.

Purpose
The modernization project provided "overtopping protection" to the dam, helping to ensure its structural stability during extremely large storms.

Budget
$1.8 million

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the modernization project.

Trees
Many trees were planted during the modernization project. The project team is concerned that a number of them appear to be dying. The City has a landscape maintenance agreement with the contractor that includes minimum watering requirements and replacement of trees that die within a two-year period. In early December 2010, the City plans to formally assess the trees and decide if any need to be replaced.

Notes

• Please be cautious at this site and stay on the sidewalks. The site is designed for flood control and storm water management.
• For your safety, do not visit the site in the rain when rapidly flowing water may make it dangerous.
• Please park on Shoal Creek Blvd. when visiting this site. There is no legal parking on Great Northern Blvd. The parking lot by the railroad tracks is private and vehicles are subject to towing.
• This site is an off-leash area. Please pick up after your pet.
• Do not allow your pets in the water, if any is present in the ponds.

Contacts
Please call 3-1-1 about maintenance or Stephanie Lott at 512-974-2799 about other issues.