North Austin News

The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department has recently published its 2023 Annual Report, which is now available online. This report highlights the department's dedication to safeguarding the lives, property, and environment of the Austin community by mitigating the effects of flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

One of the significant accomplishments mentioned in the report is the extensive cleaning and maintenance of storm drain pipelines. According to the report, crews cleaned an impressive 76,748 feet of storm drain pipeline, which is equivalent to driving from the Broken Spoke to the Domain area. Additionally, the department installed or replaced 10,131 feet of storm drain infrastructure, equivalent to the length of 33 UT Towers.

Addressing erosion was another crucial focus for the Watershed Protection Department in 2023. The report states that crews successfully stabilized 7,174 feet of unstable stream channels, which can be visualized as approximately 191 MetroBuses lined up end to end.

Furthermore, the department made significant strides in improving water quality. The Liberty Park Water Quality Pond Retrofits project played a vital role in preventing 7,900 pounds of pollution from entering the Barton Creek watershed. To put it into perspective, this accomplishment is nearly equivalent to the weight of 253,000 Mexican free-tailed bats.

Jorge Morales, the Director of the Watershed Protection Department, expressed his pride in serving the community and addressing the new challenges brought on by climate change. He emphasized the department's commitment to maintaining community safety and looks forward to continuing their service in 2024.

Residents are encouraged to review the full report at Austintexas.gov/Watershed/2023 to gain a comprehensive understanding of the department's efforts and achievements. Additionally, the department can be followed on Facebook and X to stay updated on their work throughout 2024.

The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department is dedicated to preserving lives, property, and the environment by minimizing the impact of floods, erosion, and water pollution. To learn more about their important work, visit AustinTexas.gov/Watershed.