This project aims to reduce the frequency and magnitude of flooding from the Paces Mill drainage channel. It will help homes along Paces Mill Lane in the Yarrabee Bend South neighborhood in southeast Austin.
Homes in the neighborhood have flooded on at least two occasions, October 30, 2015, and May 26, 2016. Currently, 15 homes are in the 100-year floodplain.
Community Survey
Be sure to take our community survey to let us know what you think about potential solutions to this problem! There are three ways to participate:
- Take the survey online.
- Text PACESMILL to 73224
- Paper copies available at the Southeast Branch Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road
Potential Solutions
We have evaluated four different potential solutions.
- Hybrid Channel Design
- Engineered Channel Design
- Natural Channel Design
- Optional Buyouts
More information about each of these options is below.
Channel Improvement A: Hybrid Channel Design
- Removes all 15 homes from the 100-year floodplain
- Promotes flow of water through natural areas which promotes biodiversity
- Increases channel capacity while minimizing disturbance to existing natural areas
- Replaces existing concrete channel elements with more natural materials
- Street flooding may continue to be an issue on Paces Mill Lane
Channel Improvement B - Engineered Channel Design
- Removes all 15 homes from the 100-year floodplain
- Requires minimum disturbance to the park
- Uses a redesigned flow path that more efficiently drains water during floods
- Impacts the environment in areas near the creek bends
- Street flooding may continue to be an issue on Paces Mill Lane
Channel Improvement C – Natural Channel Design
- Removes 7 homes from the 100-year floodplain
- Promotes biodiversity through the project area
- Most closely resembles a natural creek system once the project is constructed and vegetation is established
- 8 homes will remain in the floodplain
- Requires the highest amount of tree removal and disturbance to the park to install
Optional Buyouts
The City buys homes when other structural or maintenance solutions are infeasible, ineffective or have a disproportionately high cost relative to the benefits they would achieve. Offers would be for the fair market value of the house as determined by an independent appraisal and be optional.
- Quickest solution
- Eliminates flood risk completely for the resident/owner
- Only helps residents that accept the buyout offer
- Structures purchased would be demolished
- Drastic change of lifestyle to residents
Project Location
The project is northwest of the intersection of Thaxton Road and Salt Springs Drive. The project will focus on the drainage channel behind the homes on Paces Mill Lane.
Picture 1: Northern portion of the Paces Mill drainage channel.
Picture 2: Southern portion of the Paces Mill drainage channel.
Status and Timeline
Our capital improvement process 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.
- Permitting and Bidding – when all permits are acquired and a contractor is hired.
- Construction – when the project is built.
We completed the Preliminary Engineering phase in 2022 and are currently gathering public input. Depending on the option selected, construction is expected to begin in 2025.
Project Contacts
If you have any questions or would like to be added to the contact list for this project, please contact Fredrick Reza, Project Manager, at 512-974-7204 or email Fredrick.
You may also direct your questions to J. Eduardo Perez, Project Sponsor, at 512-974-2060 or email Eduardo (JoseE Perez).