January Drive Flood Risk Reduction

The current storm drain pipe is undersized and located on private property. The pipe crosses through yards, between houses and under sheds and fences. This makes it difficult to access and maintain. 

This project includes decommissioning most of the current pipe and installing a new, larger one underneath January Drive. The new pipe would run between August Dr. and the outfall on Walnut Creek off of February Drive. This new pipe would have more capacity and also be within the public right of way for easier maintenance. The inlets are currently located on January Drive and would remain the same.

Public Meeting

Thank you for everyone who joined us on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

• View the presentation slides
• Watch the recording of the meeting

Map

Click on the map for a larger, PDF version. Click here for a Spanish version of the map.

Watch a Video About the Project

Walnut Creek

The project also includes work on the outfall along Walnut Creek in the buyout area on February Dr. There is a spring at this location, and we will be taking measures to protect it during construction.

There is also erosion along the banks of Walnut Creek in this area. We plan to establish a “Grow Zone” in this area to restore native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers and help prevent further erosion. There is no mowing within a Grow Zone to help native vegetation become established over time. The project also includes some native plantings. 

We are in the process of transferring the buyout area along February Drive to the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. 

Flood Risk

The new, larger storm drain pipe will help reduce flood risk for several homes. However, we cannot make the pipe large enough to meet current City of Austin standards. This is not unusual when retrofitting an older storm drain system. We are constrained by lack of space underneath the street due to the presence of other utility lines and by the limited capacity of the creek. City of Austin standards call for stormwater to be contained within the street during a 100-year storm or 13 inches of rain in 24 hours. 

We have previously bought and removed several houses along Walnut Creek on February Dr. to reduce flood risk. We have also removed sediment and vegetation from the detention pond on Walnut Ridge Drive, which will also help.

Cost

Construction is estimated to cost $2.1 million.

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.
• Permitting and Bidding – when a contractor is hired and all permits are acquired.
• Construction – when the project is built.

The project is currently in the permitting phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024 in the summer or fall.

Questions?

Please reach out to:

• Isaac Chavez, P.E., 512-974-2349, or send an email to Isaac Chavez.
• Claudia Corsetti, P.E., 512-974-7205, or send an email to Claudia Corsetti.

To be added to the email distribution list for this project, please email Stephanie Lott or call 512-974-2799.