The overview
The new drainage improvements include a storm sewer system, new inlets, concrete channels within alleyways and an electric duct bank. An estimated 420 homes benefit from these upgrades, according to city documents.
Shaun Condor, director of engineering and capital improvements, said the new channels will direct water from the neighborhood to the San Marcos River, rather than allowing it to flow through the neighborhood with the new inlets, or storm drains, being beneficial as well.
The electrical duct bank involves relocating electric and telecom lines to underground conduits, improving reliability and reducing outage risks during storms, according to the city’s capital improvements projects website.
Additionally, according to the city's capital improvements project website, construction on the drainage improvements began in March 2022.
“When they start seeing that rain come down, [nearby residents] know ‘hey, there’s a way for that water to get out, a way to mitigate that flooding.’ ... We have those devices in place that will help mitigate the future flooding that could occur,” Condor said.
These drainage improvements complement the Blanco Riverine Flood Mitigation Project, which was completed in October. The project included the construction of a berm and floodwall, and a relief channel, which will help prevent floodwaters from entering the Blanco Gardens neighborhood during a 50-year flood event, according to city documents.
A berm is a raised mound of earth or soil that acts as a barrier to water, preventing flooding. With this project, there was a combined use of an earthen berm and concrete floodwall, according to the city website.
For upkeep, Condor said the city will inspect the stormwater systems to ensure there are no clogs. Otherwise, the improvements should require minimal maintenance.
“I just want to say that today, San Marcos is a better place,” said Zuleika Morales-Romero, field office director for HUD’s San Antonio Field Office. “This area is a better place, and I'm glad that you guys made me part of it.”
The backstory
In 2015, Hays County experienced two major flooding events within six months: the Memorial Day floods and the All Saints flood.
The Memorial Day flood struck overnight May 23 and into early May 24, when a thunderstorm cluster dumped about 12 inches of rain in less than six hours. The heavy rainfall caused the Blanco and San Marcos rivers to rise suddenly with peaks ranging from 20 to 40 feet. The flooding resulted in severe property damage and the loss of life, according to the city website.
The All Saints flood occurred Oct. 30, when flash floods caused rising waters to close I-35 in San Marcos. While the damage spread to Austin and New Braunfels, the flood worsened the already extensive property damage that had occurred in San Marcos from the Memorial Day floods.
Mark Gleason, a resident of Blanco Gardens and a previous member of the San Marcos City Council, experienced both floods. Gleason said he had about 30 inches of water in his house during the Memorial Day flood and 17 inches of water in his house during the All Saints flood.
“It's a crazy experience to watch everything you own float away, your pets float away, cars get destroyed,” Gleason said. “People's lives are being wiped away and right in front of you, and I fought tooth and nail to save everything I could, and watched it all get destroyed.”
What’s next
Condor said the city is currently updating its stormwater master plan by reviewing plans from the past 20 years, identifying gaps, and analyzing new developments and future needs.
He also noted that additional improvements are needed along the Blanco River. However, these projects could take 10 to 20 years to complete, as the city is seeking funding through the federal government and other sources.
“When this Stormwater Master Plan gets updated in the next year or two, we're going to have a key lease project we need to tackle that will continue the success of the mitigation program,” Condor said.
Gleason said he hopes residents continue to advocate for more flooding mitigation projects and don’t become complacent. He added that the best way for the community to push for infrastructure improvements to prevent flooding is to consistently remind local officials and state representatives to support these projects at local and state levels.
“I'm more than happy to tell [my] story, because [new residents] need to understand that lives were lost, [flooding] will happen again, and so that they can advocate for [flood protections],” Gleason said.
