Stormwater Priorities

Stormwater Focus Group

In 2017, El Paso Water convened a Stormwater Focus Group to review, evaluate and reprioritize stormwater projects from the 2009 Stormwater Master Plan. The diverse group was composed of leaders from El Paso’s business, civic, community and engineering sectors.

Listed below are the top stormwater priorities for the next fiscal year based on the work of the Stormwater Focus Group.

1. Silver Springs Dam – The Silver Springs Channel has been identified as an upstream sediment source. A new dam will help to detain peak flows and slowly release stormwater to meet the capacity of the downstream dam.
   Construction Cost: $1.5 million
2. Dallas Pump Station – The Dallas Reservoir does not properly discharge flow into the Rio Grande when river levels are high. This causes stormwater to build and flood the system at several locations. Upgrades to the pump station will help alleviate this problem.
   Construction Cost: $1.7 million
3. Dam 2 Morehead – This project will involve rebuilding and enhancing detention structures in the pond to mitigate high flows on Elm Street.
   Construction Cost: $750,000
4. Arroyo 1 Dam – Detention Improvements – Debris and flow from Arroyo 1 cause the existing High Ridge Channel to breach. Construction of a new debris and volume dam will help prevent the existing channel from overflowing.
   Construction Cost: $3 million
5. Sam Snead Drive Stormwater Improvements – Street flows travel too far over flat slopes and cause flooding, street closures and damage. This project will improve street drainage on Sam Snead from Lee Trevino to Dan Sykes.
   Construction Cost: $3,922,000
6. Sam Snead Drive Stormwater Improvements - Street flows travel too far over flat slopes and cause flooding, street closures and damage. This project will improve street drainage on Sam Snead from Pico Norte to Lee Trevino.
   Construction Cost: $4,532,000
7. Sam Snead Drive Stormwater Improvements - Street flows travel too far over flat slopes and cause flooding, street closures and damage. This project will improve street drainage along Lee Trevino from Sam Snead to Amy Sue.
   Construction Cost: $5.6 million
8. Dallas Basin - The Dallas Reservoir does not properly discharge flow into the Rio Grande when river levels are high. This causes stormwater to build and flood the system at several locations. This project will include acquiring land and constructing a basin to connect to the Dallas Pump Station and street inlet.
   Construction Cost: $6.5 million
9. Cypress Pump Station – A new pump station will be built near the Rio Grande to overcome high river flows. This will address problems with interior drainage.
   Construction Cost: $10 million
10. Playa Drain Crossing at Yarbrough – The stormwater pipe located at the crossing of the Playa Drain at Yarbrough is undersized. The crossing will be upgraded to improve the flow of the drain.
    Construction Cost: $125,000

2009 Stormwater Master Plan

The original Stormwater Master Plan was approved by the Public Service Board and El Paso City Council in 2009. It laid out the capital improvement projects that prepared the city for major rain events. The projects were financed through cash funding and bonds.
In the first three years, these master plan projects improved flood control in watersheds throughout the city. More than 50 percent of the flood risk in the city was addressed or reduced. Typical improvements include the following:

The master plan study evaluated all areas of the city, but focused on areas where flood risk was particularly high. Ultimately, about 100 projects were recommended. EPWater staff recommended an additional $80 million in projects that addressed localized flooding issues.

For more information:

Stormwater Master Plan
 Master Plan Community Advisory Committee Report

Projects Completed in the 2009 Stormwater Master Plan

Central

• Austin Pond
• Cebada Outfall Clearing and Relocating Facilities Phase I
• Cebada Outfall Conduit Clearance Phase II
• Dallas Conduit Clearance of Utilities Ph. 2
• Franklin Conduit Access Box
• Franklin Conduit Structural Repair
• Gateway East Pond (New pond)
• Gateway West Stormwater Pond (New pond)
• Gateway Tunnel Government Hills Inlets and Crossings
• Lincoln Park-Pond (New pond)
• Magnolia Stormwater Pump Station, Gravity Line and Force Main
• Morenci Pond (New pond)
• Pershing Dam Rehabilitation
• Pollard Pond (New pond)
• Van Buren Dam Rehabilitation
• Kentucky Dam Phase I
• Sam Snead Drive Stormwater Improvements

 East

• Lee Trevino Drainage Improvements Phase I
• Lee Trevino Drainage Improvements Phase II
• Pico Norte Pond
• RV Channel Improvements

Mission Valley  

• Basin G Excavation (create wetland by adding additional storage)
• Basin G Drain and Culvert Improvements (regrade drain to deliver flow from Playa Drain and Mesa Drain)
• Featherlake II Basin (create wetland by adding additional storage)
• Mesa Drain Improvements (widen ditch)
• Northeast Channel 2 Improvements (increase capacity; line with concrete; upgrade intake structures
• Thomas Manor Park Pond

West

• Doniphan Ditch Improvements (widen ditch)
• Montoya Drain Culverts
• Silver Springs Dam
• West Hills Unit 23
• Keystone Dam Outlet Sluice Gate
• Robinson Road Improvements

Northeast

• Diana Drive Traffic Barrier
• Fairbanks Sediment Catch Basin
• Northeast Channel No. 2
• Electric Ditch Improvements (increase capacity; install box culverts; widen ditch)

Citywide

• Six park-to-pond conversions

In construction phase:

Mission Valley

• Alicia Drive and Drainage (designed to bid by City)
• Feliz Place & Elena Avenue Reconstruction (designed to bid by City)
• Flower Street and Drainage (designed to bid by City)   

Northeast

• Will Ruth Pond (in design)

West

• Grand Teton Basin
• Mesa Park Arroyo Restoration