As 2022 comes to an end, progress on El Paso Water stormwater projects is not slowing down. From building new retention ponds to improving large dams that convey stormwater, the work continues to improve flood control.
In Central El Paso, crews are making significant headway in improvements to Memphis Dam, which consists of two parts: the upper and lower dam. Improvements to the upper Memphis Dam were completed earlier this year and work on the Lower Memphis Dam is expected to be complete this winter. Historic rain events during the 2021 monsoon filled the dams with large debris, nearly covering it to the brim.
“Progress has accelerated despite the dam’s location at the base of the Franklin Mountains,” said Project Manager Jay Ornelas. “The slopes can be challenging, but our crews are doing great work up there.”
For several months, crews excavated Lower Memphis to remove debris and expand its capacity.
The completed Upper Memphis captures stormwater runoff from the mountains, and an earthen channel carries runoff into Lower Memphis. Large boulders will be placed in the channel to dissipate the velocity of stormwater and slow the flow.
The base of Lower Memphis will remain earthen to allow for percolation, and the sides of the dam are reinforced with concrete. Lower Memphis Dam is 21 feet deep and can hold 3.5 million gallons of water.
Reinforcing existing infrastructure
Improvements to the Old Spanish Trail Spillway, located in Northeast El Paso, were recently completed. The spillway conveys stormwater from the Mountain Park neighborhood, and then under Alabama Street to an arroyo. Major infrastructure repairs were especially critical because the spillway is located near a residential area, and just south of an apartment complex.
“The concrete was cracked, and you could see cactus and other brush growing through the cracks of the spillway,” said Project Manager Elsa Ochoa. “We had to demolish the spillway and reconstruct it with a stronger foundation.”
Ochoa’s commitment to the projects she oversees goes beyond the duration of construction.
“During monsoon, I would drive by the spillway to make sure it was working like it should,” Ochoa said. “I was happy to hear some positive feedback from nearby residents.”
Carolina Pond
Many parts of the stormwater system are not visible to the public but still play an important role. The new Carolina Pond is tucked next to the Carolina Bridge in El Paso’s Lower Valley.
“While the pond is not in plain sight, it helps retain stormwater from the surrounding commercial properties,” said Project Manager Oscar Camacho.
The 10-foot triangle-shaped pond also catches stormwater from the busy intersection of Alameda Ave. and Carolina Drive. The property used to be a pump station that is no longer in use.
“It was a much simpler project compared to our larger ones but still provides protection,” Camacho said.
In 2022, more than two dozen stormwater projects were completed at an estimated cost of nearly $12 million, but the work is not done. EPWater is projected to complete a total of $50.5 million in flood control projects by February 28, the end of the fiscal year.