Dallas Floodway Project
The Dallas Floodway Project is a joint project between the City of Dallas and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This federal project provides comprehensive flood risk management for the City of Dallas in a way that supports the achievement of regional environmental, recreation, transportation, and economic development. With the inclusion of flood protection, these are the five major components of the Trinity River Corridor Project which are expanded in the Trinity's Balanced Vision Plan.
Public safety is the first priority of the Dallas Floodway and it is a shared goal with a number of government partners: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dallas County, Texas Department of Transportation, EPA, FEMA, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and North Central Texas Council of Governments.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Update on the Dallas Floodway
For the Dallas Floodway, two documents were approved in April 2015 when Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), signed the Record of Decision: Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Feasibility Report
This means work can proceed on the Dallas Floodway Project and the floodway enhancements as well as the recreation aspects of the project.
2015 Record of Decision
HISTORY
- In the 1950s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made significant improvements to the Dallas levees and the interior drainage system.
- The City of Dallas assumed ownership of the Dallas Floodway System in 1968.
- The Dallas Floodway Project is authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, Public Law 110-114, Section 5141.
- The Dallas Floodway Project started in the 1990s in the form that it is today, a join federal and location initiative, and planning has been underway to monitor and address system-wide standards and projects for the floodway including the Balanced Vision Plan and Interior Drainage Improvements
- Flood risk management includes strengthening the Dallas Floodway Levees, modifying the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF) railroad bridge across the floodway at the Dallas Wave and improving flood warning systems.
- New and/or renovated pump stations
- Ecosystem and recreation improvements
- Access and linkage improvements to the Dallas Floodway
Dallas Floodway looking north toward downtown Dallas. Photo by David Mimlitch
Learn more about the on-going partnership on the Dallas Floodway Project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and City of Dallas and view Environmental Impact Statement documents
