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Austin Watershed Protection

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Erosion Projects

Creek erosion occurs when flowing water removes soil and rocks from stream banks and streambeds. Creek erosion can threaten homes, roads, bridges, trees, parkland, utilities and other infrastructure. We work on projects that address erosion to create safe and stable stream systems. We use native materials and vegetation as much as possible to enhance the natural creek setting. 

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

Skip to Project Summaries

 

Featured Project 

Thompkins Tributary Stream Stabilization

This project will stabilize approximately 800 feet of a small creek to help protect homes, utilities, and natural areas. Construction is expected to start in March 2026. 

About Erosion Projects

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 and construction plans drawn up.
  • Bidding – when a contractor is hired and all permits are acquired.
  • 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.

Easements

We sometimes need to purchase easements from private property owners to construct our projects. Easements are a legal right that allows us to use a designated portion of another person’s property for a specific purpose. There are many different types of easements, and the specified purpose can vary. Easements can be temporary or permanent. For our drainage projects, we generally purchase both temporary easements for construction and permanent drainage easements.

Project Summaries

Please explore the boxes below for more information about some of our larger projects.

Clarkson Tributary Rehabilitation

Clarkson Tributary Rehabilitation

This study will assess possible solutions to improve water quality and erosion along the Clarkson Tributary of Boggy Creek. We would like to address the following issues:

  • Exposed wastewater pipes
  • Poor water quality
  • Steep banks near roadways and residential structures.

There is a water quality monitoring site is downstream of the Clarkson Tributary. Currently, the tributary is not suitable for contact recreation due to high E. coli levels. Explore this water quality tool to find most recent information for its subwatershed (listed as BOG3).

  • Watershed - Clarkson Tributary to Boggy Creek
  • Location - The Clarkson Tributary is a small creek that runs between Clarkson Avenue and E. 37th Street. It flows into Boggy Creek and is about 1,800 feet long.
  • Status - This project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase. Construction depends on the results of the study and the availability of funding.

Key Contact for Clarkson Project

Eubank Tributary Streambank Stabilization

Eubank Tributary Streambank Stabilization

This project will stabilize approximately 1,400 feet of stream bank along the Eubank Tributary. This small creek runs behind Eubank Drive and feeds into Walnut Creek. The project area is along the creek from North Bend Drive to Walnut Creek.

The goal is to protect yards, trees, buildings and infrastructure by stabilizing the stream banks. The project includes the following:

  • Stabilization of the creek to prevent loss of land and fences from erosion
  • Enhance native vegetation along the stream banks
  • Restore the natural function of the stream
  • New landscaping and planting throughout the project area
  • Watershed - Eubank Tributary to Walnut Creek
  • Location - The project is located between Eubank Drive and Lamar Boulevard, from North Bend Drive to Walnut Creek. View location map.
  • Status - This project is currently in the design phase, which is expected to wrap up in 2026. Construction is dependent upon the availability of funding.
  • Opinion of Probable Construction Cost - $5.3 million

Key Contact for Eubank Project

Jamestown Tributary Stream Rehabilitation

Jamestown Tributary Stream Rehabilitation

This project will protect yards, trees, buildings and infrastructure by stabilizing the streambank. It will also reduce localized flooding on Jamestown Drive. 

Project Overview

  • Stabilizes approximately 2,500 feet of streambank, from Thurmond Drive to Payton Gin Pocket Park, using natural limestone boulders, mechanically stabilized earth walls, and graded slopes.
  • Upgrades storm drain pipes along Jamestown Drive.
  • Installs a bridge over the creek on Fairfield Drive to reduce flooding over the roadway. The bridge will replace the culvert.
  • Plants native vegetation along the streambanks and remove large concrete debris. This will restore the natural character of the creek and improve water quality.
  • Watershed - Jamestown Tributary to Little Walnut Creek
  • Location - The Jamestown Tributary is a small creek that flows into Little Walnut Creek. The project is along Jamestown Drive, just west of Lamar Boulevard and south of Payton Gin Road.
  • Status - December 1, 2025:  The start of construction for this project has been delayed by several months. This delay will allow us to upgrade wastewater lines within the project area and fix ongoing conflicts with other utility lines. These changes are large enough that the construction plans must be updated before construction can begin.
  • Opinion of Probable Construction Cost - $8.2 million
  • Easements - Easements were required for this project on properties along the Jamestown Tributary where the banks were eroding.

Key Contact for Jamestown Project

Richmond Tributary Rehabilitation

Richmond Tributary Rehabilitation

This project will repair and stabilize approximately 1,800 linear feet of stream bank along the Richmond Tributary to Williamson Creek. This project will protect yards, trees, buildings and infrastructure by stabilizing the streambank. The project includes the following:

  • Stabilization of the creek to prevent property from erosion
  • Creek beautification through the use of natural and native materials
  • New landscaping and planting throughout the project area
  • Relocation of water and wastewater lines
  • Culvert upgrades at Philco and Green Forest Drive to reduce flood risks

Construction Impacts

  • Construction noise during work hours
  • Construction traffic on neighborhood streets
  • Utility pole relocation
  • Removal of trees near creek
  • Fence relocation and replacement
  • Watershed - Richmond Tributary to Williamson Creek
  • Location - The Richmond Tributary is a small creek that flows into Williamson Creek, south of Ben White Boulevard. This project is located behind homes on Richmond Avenue and Gillis Street, between Redd Street and the railroad tracks.
  • Status - This project is currently in the bidding phase.
  • Opinion of Probable Construction Cost - $6.3 million
  • Easements - Easements were required for this project from property owners along the eroding creek. We will be accessing these easements to stabilize the creek bank and complete the project.

Key Contacts for Richmond Project

 

Thompkins Tributary Stream Stabilization Project

Thompkins Tributary Stream Stabilization Project

This project will stabilize approximately 800 feet of a small creek to help protect homes, utilities and natural areas. It will reduce erosion and improve water quality in the creek. 

Project Overview

  • Channel improvements from Trotwood Drive to Peggotty Place.
  • We’ll use rock, gravel and wood to reconstruct channel and enhance wildlife habitat.
  • Small pools in the channel to filter pollutants out of storm water and slow down floodwaters.
  • Native plants along the creek banks.
  • Storm drain upgrades in the channel to change the outfall and improve water quality.

Construction Impacts

  • Construction noise during work hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, optional 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays)
  • Construction traffic on neighborhood streets
  • Removal of trees near creek
  • Fence relocation and replacement
  • Watershed - Thompkins Tributary to Walnut Creek
  • Location - Thompkins Tributary is a small creek that flows into Walnut Creek. The project area is near Lavinia Lane and Peggotty Place, close to Thompkins Drive in northeast Austin. The area is just east of North Lamar Boulevard and north of Rundberg Lane.
  • Status - This project is anticipated to begin construction in March of 2026.
  • Opinion of Probable Construction Cost - $1.16 million
  • Easements - Select temporary workspace easements were acquired for this project from property owners along the eroding creek. We will be accessing these easements to stabilize the creek bank and complete the project.

Key Contacts for Thompkins Project

Turtle Creek Streambank Stabilization

Turtle Creek Streambank Stabilization

This project will stabilize and restore approximately 1,500 feet of Williamson Creek Tributary 4 (Turtle Creek) in South Austin. Erosion has damaged both residential and commercial properties. Plans include:

  • Grading and sloping the creek banks
  • Limestone block walls and grade controls
  • Native vegetation along the banks
  • Rock riffles to enhance the creeks environment and support biodiversity.

In addition to stabilizing the creek banks, the project will improve wildlife habitat, protect private property and public infrastructure from future damage.

  • Watershed - Turtle Creek, officially called Tributary 4 to Williamson Creek
  • Location - The project is divided into two locations:
    • Along backyards of Middleham Place, between Eberhart Lane and Turtle Creek Blvd.
    • Between properties near Stassney and Hummingbird Lanes
  • Status - This project is currently in design with construction estimated to begin in late 2026.
  • Opinion of Probable Construction Cost - $2.7 million

Key Contact for Turtle Creek Project

Don’t see your project? 

It may be considered a creek flood, local flood or water quality-related project. A complete list of Capital Improvement Program projects is available on Capital Project Explorer.

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