Austin Watershed Protection Celebrates Completion of January Drive Flood Risk Reduction Project

Austin Watershed Protection celebrated this week the completion of its January Drive Flood Risk Reduction project. It represents a major step forward toward the city's goal of reducing localized flooding and improving drainage in the Four Seasons neighborhood.

According to a Friday press release, the work included more than 1,700 feet of new storm drain pipe, erosion controls, outfall improvements, and landscape restoration to help protect homes, streets, and creek areas around January Drive in Northeast Austin.

In 2015, powerful storm activity caused heavy flooding that resulted in damage to several homes in the neighborhood. According to Watershed Protection, one reason that happened was that the neighborhood's storm drain system could not convey the large volume of runoff.

That is a problem of that past after this $1.93 million flood risk reduction project, which was funded by the 2018 voter approved bond package. The project addressed that undersized storm drain system by installing new storm drain pipe.

This will reduce flooding risk to over 70 properties and builds upon previous efforts, including buying out several homes along the creek and maintenance on a stormwater detention pond.

The project rerouted and upsized the exiting storm drain system to underneath January Drive, replacing most of the system within the public right of way for easier long-term maintenance. Crews also removed invasive plant species and established a "Grow Zone" at the creek outfall to reduce future erosion.

Austin Capital Delivery Services worked with Austin Watershed Protection to complete the work.

"This project reflects our commitment to protecting every Austin neighborhood from the impacts of severe weather," said Watershed Protection Director Jorge Morales. "By investing in stronger drainage systems now, we're helping ensure that residents have the reliable infrastructure that they need when storms become more intense and frequent."

Learn more about the January Drive Flood Risk Reduction Project on the program website.