Currently over 80 homes and all the roads in the Lake Creek area of west Round Rock are located on a 100-year floodplain, meaning every year there is a 1% chance of flooding, according to the city of Round Rock. Many homes located in that area see closer to a 10% chance of flooding.
What’s happening?
Construction on the $34 million Dam 101 project has commenced in west Round Rock, spearheaded by Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District in partnership with the city of Round Rock.
The mile-long dam aims to significantly diminish flooding in the most severely affected part of Williamson County, according to a news release.
“There are three parts to good local government," said Jeremiah D. Williams, president of the Upper Brushy Creek WCID, in the release. "First, this project reduces flooding in southern Williamson County. Second, the voters approved this project, and by doing so, allowed our board to cut our tax rate. Those three parts are a win-win-win for our community."
The backstory
The Texas Legislature recently introduced the state’s first flood plan analysis in July. The flood plan for region 8, which includes Williamson County, received 95 recommended locations for flood management evaluations.
The Upper Brushy Creek WCID was entrusted with managing erosion and flood prevention efforts in Williamson County by the Texas Legislature in 1957, which today includes a stretch of land from Leander to Hutto. The organization oversees the maintenance of over 20 dams within its jurisdiction.
Dam 101, a project that has been in the works for years, will be one of the biggest undertakings for the district since the original building of the dams in the 1950s and '60s.
Funding for this project comes from 2020 voter-approved General Obligation bonds as well as a previous agreement with the city for 10% of total cost, not to exceed $3.4 million.
Additionally, the Texas legislature has designated $625 million for the state’s Flood Infrastructure Fund.
Residents can check on flood conditions on the Upper Brushy Creek flood monitoring map.
