draft

We design, build and evaluate engineered systems to reduce pollution in our creeks, lakes and aquifers. We seek to use stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.

This page summarizes the process of our work and highlights several projects.

Featured Project – West Austin Park

Please join us for a public meeting about water quality improvements at West Austin Park.

A copy of the presentation and a recording of the meeting, if available, will be posted on this site after the meeting. More information about the West Austin Park project.

Tools for Improving Water Quality

There are a variety of ways that we can treat stormwater and remove pollutants. Our projects might include the following:

  • Biofiltration ponds
  • Rain gardens
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Irrigation & Infiltration fields
  • Sedimentation filtration ponds
  • Vegetated filter strips
  • Wet ponds

Easements

We sometimes need to purchase easements to complete our projects. An easement can either be permanent or temporary during construction. There are many different types of easements, but they all give the City limited rights of access or use.

Drainage easements are particularly common for our projects. They are generally needed either to access and maintain infrastructure or to provide a place for water to flow. Residents should not build fences, walls, sheds or buildings within a drainage easement. They should be used for grass or flowers.

Process

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

  • Feasibility Study – when information is collected to identify potential solutions.
  • Preliminary Engineering – when a solution is identified and costs are estimated.
  • Design and Permitting – when the details are worked out, construction plans drawn up and permits are acquired. Easements, if needed, are usually acquired during this phase as well.
  • Bidding – when a contractor is hired.
  • Construction – when the project is built.

Construction is dependent upon the availability of funding. In some cases, we are not able to identify a feasible or cost-effective solution during the first two phases.

Report a Drainage Concern or Pollution Spill

Resources for Engineers

The City of Austin’s Stormwater Load Analysis Tool (SLAT) is meant to accompany the Environmental Criteria Manual, Section 1.6.9, for sites within the Barton Springs Zone. It calculates a proposed development’s pollutant load.

Project Summaries

Asian American Resource Center Stormwater Improvements 

Located primarily at the Asian American Resource Center, this project will improve water quality in the Rutherford Tributary of Little Walnut Creek. Currently, the water quality is affected by high nutrient levels, poor stream habitat and erosion. The project includes:

  • Expanding the existing biofiltration pond and adding a wetland area
  • Adding a new stream and rain garden
  • Changing the concrete channel to make it more natural
  • Replacing concrete-lined side slopes with limestone blocks
  • Installing vegetated concrete block matting
  • Installing two pedestrian bridges over concrete channels, one near the AARC/Rutherford Campus parking lot and one near the board walk
  • Adding trails, landscaping and a play area

In addition to improving water quality, the project will enhance the appearance of the resource center, add amenities, reduce flood risk, reduce erosion and increase wildlife habitat. View map of proposed improvements.

Watershed

Rutherford Tributary to Little Walnut Creek

Location

The project is located on the grounds of the Asian American Resource Center and at the City of Austin's Rutherford Campus.

Status

This project is currently in design with construction estimated to begin in fall 2025.

Documents

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

Bartholomew Park/Morris Williams Water Quality Improvements

The project will improve the water quality and the health of Tannehill Branch Creek. To do this, we are proposing to change existing drainage infrastructure in Bartholomew Park and Morris Williams Golf Course. The project includes:

  • Changing the existing flood detention pond at Bartholomew Park to include a permanent wet pond
  • Creating a new Safe Routes to School trail through Bartholomew Park.
  • Improving the existing wet pond and constructing a second wet pond at Morris Williams Golf Course
  • Creating a wetland at Morris Williams Golf Course
  • Enhancing the natural habitat along Tannehill Branch Creek
  • Upgrading wastewater lines along Tannehill Branch Creek near Morris Williams Golf Course

The project will help address water quality in Tannehill Branch Creek while supporting recreation in the parks. The creek has high nutrient levels and lacks plant and wildlife habitat near its banks. Both contribute to problems like erosion and unwanted algae growth.  

Watershed

Tannehill Branch Creek

Location

The project is located in Bartholomew District Park and at the Morris Williams Golf Course. View location map.

Status

This project is currently in the design phase. Construction is dependent upon the availability of funding.

Documents

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

Buttermilk Creek Water Quality Improvements

This project addresses poor water quality and erosion along Buttermilk Creek in northeast Austin. We are working with Austin Water to restore the creek and enhance wildlife habitat. We’ll be stabilizing the creek banks, repairing and upgrading wastewater infrastructure, and removing pollutants from stormwater

This is a large project with many components, including:

  • A new biofiltration pond with flood detention capacity
  • Removal of a failed detention pond on the bank of Buttermilk Creek
  • Relocation of wastewater lines out of Buttermilk Creek
  • Rain gardens at Carver, Bethune and Meador Avenues
  • Channel improvements to replace concrete with natural, erosion-resistant materials
  • Improvements to the outlet at the Delmar Tributary
  • Streambank stabilization at various locations, including the pedestrian bridge on Providence Ave.  
  • Wildlife habitat improvements along the creek in Buttermilk Neighborhood Park
  • Improved amenities at Buttermilk Neighborhood Park
  • Drilled shaft walls to prevent further bank widening between Cameron Road and Little Walnut Creek

View a project map.

Watershed

Buttermilk Creek, which flows into Little Walnut Creek

Location

This project is near the St. Johns, Coronado Hills and Old Towne neighborhoods. Part of the project is within Buttermilk Neighborhood Park.

Status

This project is currently in the design phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026.

This project received $22,160,000 in financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program. In addition, $959,752 was issued through Congressionally Mandated Project funding in the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Grant Program.

Please visit PublicInput.com/Buttermilk to join our email list for updates. 

Documents

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

 

Dick Nichols/Beckett Meadows Pond Rehabilitation

The Dick Nichols and Beckett Meadows Pond Rehabilitation project is rehabilitating two existing water quality ponds, one at Dick Nichols District Park and one behind the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Library. The project includes:

  • Regrading the existing ponds
  • Installing new pond liners
  • Installing a small dewatering pump station with a wet well at Dick Nichols Park and associated electrical work
  • Installation of an above ground diffuser to distribute treated water to a disposal field at Dick Nichols Park

Watershed

Williamson Creek

Location

In Dick Nichols Park and behind the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Library. View project map.

Status

This project is under construction.  For the latest information, sign up for email updates.

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

Kealing Park Water Quality Project

The project will improve water quality for the Poquito Tributary of Boggy Creek. It will treat parking lot and roof runoff associated with the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, Carver Library, Kealing Neighborhood Park, and Kealing Middle School.

The project aims to be a showpiece for green infrastructure and provide educational and recreational benefits to visitors of the Carver Museum and Library, neighborhood residents, and students of Kealing Middle School.

Watershed

Poquito Tributary to Boggy Creek

Location

Most of the improvements are located on the grounds of Kealing Park.

Project Phases

The construction will likely occur in 2 phases. View this map to see the location of the different sites.

Phase 1

  • Site A: Retrofit of existing detention pond at Kealing Park to include water quality measures. This pond when full will be a maximum of 2 feet deep and will drain within 48 hours. We are also proposing some recreational amenities, including a limestone block climbing feature for children.
  • Site B: Retrofit of existing detention pond that serves the Kealing Middle School to include water quality measures. When full, this pond will be a maximum of 2 feet deep and drain within 48 hours.
  • Site C: This would be a new rain garden at the northwest corner of the site to treat stormwater coming from Pennsylvania Ave. The new rain garden would have a 7.5 inch ponding depth and will also drain within 48 hours.

Phase 2

  • Site D: Repair erosion issues at the existing biofilter that treats stormwater from the school on the southeast corner of the site. 
  • Site E: Repair the inlet of the existing rain garden that treats stormwater coming from the tennis court.

Status

This project is currently in design with construction estimated to begin in 2026.

Documents

Questions?

Little Bear Creek Recharge Enhancements

This project will divert water from Little Bear Creek during times of high flow. The water will be directed to a former quarry, where it will recharge the Edwards Aquifer. It will help preserve flows at Barton Springs during drought conditions and improve the resiliency of the aquifer from impacts due to climate change and over-pumping.

The project consists of digging a diversion channel to connect Little Bear Creek to a wetland and former quarry pit. The wetland will help filter sediments and pollutants from the water. Once water reaches the quarry pit, it will slowly make its way into the Edwards Aquifer.

Diversion of creek water will only occur when there is high flow in the creek. The project will not impact normal flows in the creek, change flood risk, or affect the current recharging of the aquifer from the creek. View map of project.

Construction Impacts

  • Noise: The construction may be noisy since the contractor will need to hammer through rock to create the diversion channel.
  • Low Water Crossing: The contractor may build a temporary creek crossing around the low water crossing on Arbor Trail, which would require removing some trees and vegetation. The final access plan will be reviewed and approved by Hays County. Any temporary creek crossings will be removed at the end of the project and the area will be restored.
  • Traffic: Traffic impacts are expected to be minimal. Heavy equipment will be brought to the site as well as some materials needed for construction. However, the contractor will be generating and reusing all excavated materials on-site, so construction related traffic should mostly be limited to workers’ vehicles at the beginning and end of the day.

Watershed

Little Bear Creek

Location

This project is located on Water Quality Protection Lands in Hays County southwest of Austin. To learn more about the Water Quality Protection Lands, visit AustinTexas.gov/WQPLstory

Status

This project is under construction. Construction started in October 2024 and is expected to take 10 months.

Documents

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

Upper Waller Creek Drainage Improvements

This project aims to improve quality of life, the environment and drainage infrastructure.  We will use greenspace along Northcrest Blvd. to expand neighborhood access to the creek, provide recreational opportunities, enhance stormwater treatment and reduce flood risk. The project includes:

  • A 12-foot wide multi-purpose trail
  • Rain gardens
  • Grow zones to allow diverse, native vegetation and trees to become established on either side of the creek.
  • New native plantings to increase wildlife habitat and reduce maintenance
  • Step pools and a drop structure to protect the creek banks from erosion and provide wildlife habitat
  • Dedicated clean-out areas for maintenance and sediment removal
  • Dedicated clean-out areas provide for less damage to plants and habitat when regular

Watershed

Waller Creek

Location

The main project area runs along Northcrest Boulevard between West St. Johns Avenue and West Croslin Street. View project map.

Status

This project is currently in the design phase. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2025. To be added to the email distribution list, please email WPDPIO.

Documents

Questions

West Austin Park Water Quality Improvements

This project includes installing a biofiltration pond in West Austin Park. The project will naturally treat stormwater runoff, removing 7,000 pounds of sediment and pollutants every year. The stormwater comes from 24 acres of land near the park and flows through the park into Lady Bird Lake. The project will also enlarge the playing field, improve the park entrance and bring new plantings and vegetation. The project includes:

  • Installing a biofiltration pond that will double as a playing field
  • Replacing the existing 9th Street curb inlet
  • Repairing hillside erosion caused by stormwater flowing from 9-½ street
  • Upgrading the sidewalk and streetscape along 9th Street
  • Repairing the failing historic walls in the park
  • Replacing the old wastewater line that runs through the park
  • Installing approximately 700 feet of new, ADA- accessible concrete trail

Please note that Lady Bird Lake is affected by development that pre-dates water quality regulations, which means polluted water flows into the lake. The lack of undeveloped land near the lake makes it challenging to find other locations for water quality treatment.

Watershed

Lady Bird Lake

Location

West Austin Park and 9th Street.

Status

This project is currently in design. We anticipate construction beginning in 2026 or 2027.

Documents

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people:

Don't see your project? It may be considered an erosion or flood project. A complete list of Capital Improvement Program projects is available on Capital Project Explorer.

Projects on Hold

Please note that the following projects have been put on hold indefinitely due to lack of funding:

  • Reed Park Water Quality Improvements