Guadalupe Street Flood Risk Reduction

This project will improve the storm drain system near Avenue A in the Hyde Park neighborhood and reduce the risk of flooding. General project boundaries are Avenue D, W. 33rd St., Guadalupe St. and W. 47th St.

Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park

As part of this project, the City of Austin is creating a concept plan for potential future improvements to Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park. That's because we are proposing to install two stormwater ponds at the park. The concept plan will help identify ways to maximize the enjoyment of the park for those who live and work nearby. Thank you to everyone who completed the initial survey or attended the open house. More information about proposed changes and concept planning for Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park.

Overview of Guadalupe St. Flood Risk Reduction Project

The type of flooding that is occurring in the project area is known as local flooding. It generally occurs away from creeks in areas where the manmade drainage system of pipes and ditches is overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. In this case, when the neighborhood was developed, we suspect that an entire creek or small tributary was diverted into the storm drain system and roads and possibly structures were built where the water once flowed.

Project Map

The map below is turned on its side with north towards the left. It shows the proposed solution. Click on the map to download a larger PDF.

Proposed Solution

With the proposed solution, we estimate that 117 structures would no longer flood during a 100-year storm (12.3 inches of rain in 24-hours). Flood risk during small storms would be reduced for even more homes. The proposed solution includes the following:

Upgrading 20,000 feet of storm drain pipes
Optimizing the outfall of the Triangle Pond and its two main headwalls
Adding debris blockers at the Triangle Pond outfall
Widening the channel of Hemphill Branch (the creek) at the outfall
Acquiring easements along an existing pipe
Relocating underground utilities as needed.
Improvements to water and wastewater lines.

To prevent worsening flooding along Hemphill Branch, the proposal also includes the following:

Adding a detention pond in the field next to the Baker Center
Adding underground detention
Adding two detention ponds in the grassy areas of Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park and developing a park concept plan.
Relocating a gas line near E. 26th Street
Possibly replacing the culverts at 32nd and Wheeler Streets.

Timeline and Cost

Our capital improvement projects take many years from start to finish. The process typically includes the following phases:

Preliminary Engineering – when a solution is identified and costs are estimated.
Design – when the details are worked out and construction plans drawn up.
Bidding and Permitting – when a contractor is hired and all permits are acquired.
Construction – when the project is built.

The project is currently in the design phase. Due to the increasing complexity and cost of the project, we are considering dividing construction into multiple phases. Construction on the first phase is expected to start no sooner than 2025. The phasing plan is not fully developed, but the downstream portion of a drainage project is always constructed first. For this project, that means the southernmost parts of the project near Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park.

The estimated cost is $74,730,000.

Documents

Email Updates

Email Stephanie Lott to receive email updates about public meetings or the completion of the study.

Contacts

Hanh Thai, P.E., 512-974-9232, Hanh.Thai@austintexas.gov