Southlake City Council met Aug. 6 and approved an agreement with consulting firm Halff Associates Inc. to conduct a Kirkwood Branch Watershed study for an amount not to exceed $163,800.

A watershed is an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It is also commonly referred to as a drainage basin or catchment.

Officials have noticed drainage issues within the Kirkwood Branch watershed, which includes portions of Southlake, Keller, Westlake and Trophy Club, according to meeting documents. Most recently, in 2018, North White Chapel Boulevard was flooded due to severe storms. It caused severe damage to the road surface and storm culverts, which drain water under the roadway.

As a result of this, North White Chapel Boulevard was closed for repairs for months. This was an inconvenience and safety concern to the 300-plus households north of that area, according to meeting documents. The street will likely face flooding waters again at Kirkwood Branch due to its elevation relative to its surrounding area.

The purpose of the study is to collect data and examine potential solutions that could reduce or eliminate flooding problems in that region. Money for this project will come from the city’s Storm Water Utility System Fund Capital Improvement Plan budgets.