This project will utilize the space in and along Waller Creek to improve water quality and reduce erosion locally and for those downstream.
Overview
This project aims to provide both quality of life improvements as well as environmental and infrastructure improvements. Unused greenspace along Northcrest Blvd. will be utilized to expand neighborhood access to the creek, recreational opportunities and provide enhanced stormwater treatment and flood control. The main project area runs along Northcrest Boulevard between West St. Johns Avenue and West Croslin Street.
Community Engagement
- On Wednesday, November 20 we held a public meeting about this project. You can view a recording of the meeting at https://youtu.be/1oRmGyvYN4c.
- We conducted a public survey in Summer of 2022 to hear from residents about their priorities and concerns related to water quality, recreation, and the different components proposed in this project. You can view the survey results here: https://PublicInput.com/Report/0ffhumleqfg.
Project Components and Benefits
Future Multi-Use Trail
- A 12' multipurpose trail will be designed and coordinated with the urban trails and future public works projects for connectivity and safe crossings
- Recreational use for walking jogging, biking and other modes of transportation within a network of safer and limited crossings
- Shared utility access maintained to protect service reliability
Rain Gardens: A rain garden is a vegetated filtration and/or infiltration system that provide water quality benefits by catching and slowing down stormwater.
- Helps remove pollutants by letting them settle and by using plants and tiny organisms in the soil to break them down
- Provides wildlife habitat and a more natural setting
- Helps water soak into the ground, which keeps streams flowing and reduces the chance of floods
Grow Zones: Grow zones are creek-side areas in city parks and other local public lands that had been regularly mowed but are now allowed to recover their naturally dense and diverse native vegetation.
- Allows for natural plant growth in entire buffer area
- Prevent stream bank erosion and slows down the flow, reducing downstream flooding
- Provide shade that cools air and water temperatures
- Provide habitat and food for a diverse group of animals
- Reduce the City’s carbon footprint via both sequestration and reduced emissions
- Creates a greenbelt forest and stream corridor
Habitat Enhancement and revegetation:
- Native plant communities are more resilient to climate change
- Require less maintenance, fertilizers and herbicides
- Provide extended habitat for Riparian species
Erosion control:
- Step pools and drop structure provide better erosion protection during high intensity storm events and provide a longer-term source of water for birds, mammals and amphibians, increasing breeding success and population size
- Dedicated clean-out areas provide for less damage to plants and habitat when regular maintenance and sediment removal occur
Status and Timeline
Our capital improvement projects take many years from start to finish. The process typically includes the following phases:
- Preliminary Engineering: a solution is identified, and costs are estimated.
- Design: details are worked out and construction plans drawn up.
- Permitting and Bidding: when a contractor is hired, and all permits are acquired.
- Construction: the project is built.
This project is currently in the design phase which we plan to complete Fall/Winter of 2024. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2025.
Documents
- English Factsheet: Upper Waller Creek Drainage Improvement Project
- Spanish Factsheet: Proyecto de drenaje para mejorar Upper Waller Creek
- November 2024 Presentation: Northcrest Drainage Improvements
Project Contacts
- Drew Sloat, Project Sponsor, 512-974-2707 or email Drew Sloat.
- To be added to the email distribution list, please email WPDPIO.