AUSTIN, Texas — Crews are set to start work soon on a nearly $15 million repair project for the Old Lampasas Dam near Spicewood Springs Road in northwest Austin.
The dam was built in 1984 and damaged by a tropical storm in 2010. Now the city hopes this project will help to reduce the risk of flooding and help prevent erosion.
The project aims to improve Bull Creek water quality downstream and conserve habitat for the Jollyville Plateau salamander.
Contractors will replace a damaged outlet pipe, alter the shape and elevation of the embankment, add an early-warning system for flooding, update the spillway and reposition a wastewater line.
City staff say parents of students at schools nearby will be notified about any possible traffic impacts and changes to school bus stops along that road.
Part of the trail across the dam will be closed during construction. Detours will be posted.
The city said trees and boulders removed from the site will be prepped and transferred to an off-site location for further use as playscapes at city park facilities.
The project is expected to start Oct. 21 and last around 18 months.