The Watershed Protection Department is planning a project to improve water quality in Little Walnut Creek. The project is located at the Asian American Resource Center and the City of Austin's Rutherford Campus.
Project Background
The Rutherford Tributary drainage area is comprised of 132-acres of land that has a mix of uses including commercial, office and residential. This drainage area is among our Top 20 priority water quality areas because of its high nutrient load, poor stream habitat and issues with stream erosion.
Project Goals
- Provide Water Quality and flood control measures
- Enhance recreational value
- Create public education opportunities
- Enhance stream stability
- Improve pedestrian safety
- Create a cost effective and maintenance-friendly project
Project Components
- Expanding the existing biofiltration pond and adding a wetland area
- A new stream and rain garden
- Changes to the concrete channel to make it more natural
- Replacing concrete-lined side slopes with limestone blocks
- Installing Vegetated concrete block matting
- A pedestrian bridge over the concrete channel near AARC/Rutherford Campus parking lot
- A pedestrian bridge over the concrete channel near the board walk
- Trails, landscaping and a play area
Project Benefits
- Improved aesthetics and recreational amenities (urban trail, pedestrian bridges, rain gardens, etc.)
- Cleaner water
- Improved flood control
- More natural stream hydrology and reduced erosion
- Enhanced stream habitat
Community Input
This is a separate project from the expansion of the Asian American Resource Center. However, we chose this option to improve water quality after reviewing community feedback from the planning process for the expansion.
Additionally, we’ve listened to the community as we developed our design plans for this project. We’ve included an additional pedestrian bridge, changed the design of our biofiltration pond, and added an urban trail to the plan all based on community input and feedback.
Presentation
Timeline
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.
Preliminary Engineering was completed in 2021. This project is currently in design with construction estimated to begin in fall 2025.
Information in Additional Languages
The factsheet is available in the following languages:
Contacts
Questions or concerns? Please reach out to one of the following people:
- Claudia Corsetti, P.E., at 512-974-7205 or email Claudia Corsetti
- Lee Sherman, Project Sponsor, at 512-974-6555 or email Lee Sherman