Located between Balcones Northwest and The Park at Spicewood Springs, the existing bridge is described as a “high hazard dam” that is in disrepair, according to information from Austin’s Capital Delivery Services Department, or CDS.
The $14.9 million project will modernize the dam to reduce the risk of downstream flooding, help prevent dam erosion, improve Bull Creek water quality downstream and maintain habitat for the Jollyville Plateau salamander.
Improvements in the project consist of replacing the damaged outlet pipe, modifying the shape and elevation of the embankment, installing new early warning systems for floods, improving the spillway, and relocating a wastewater line, according to the CDS project webpage.
The background
Old Lampasas Dam was first constructed in 1984 to offset development impacts to Bull Creek. Tropical Storm Hermine damaged the primary outlet pipe in 2010, resulting in erosion of the embankment and downstream slope, plus multiple holes on the upstream slope of the dam, according to the CDS project webpage.
What to expect
To address identified bus stops along construction truck routes, a community engagement specialist will work with impacted nearby schools to inform parents and neighborhood groups of regular updates, the potential traffic impact, construction schedule and more, according to an Aug. 16 letter from CDS to Austin City Council.
Parts of the trail across the dam will be closed during construction, including the former maintenance drive portion on the west side of the dam, said Andrés Cantú, CDS marketing supervisor, in an email.
Next steps
The project is expected to begin Oct. 21 and last 18 months, according to Cantú and a Sept. 17 presentation from Austin’s CDS department. Community members are encouraged to sign up here to receive project updates and learn more about the project.
