Oak Knoll Flood Risk Reduction
July 2026 Construction Update
Project Background:
This project is part of the Austin Watershed Protection Department’s Capital Improvement Program. It will improve the storm drain system in part of the Oak Knoll neighborhood to reduce the risk of flooding. The construction budget is $9 million. It includes installing new storm drain pipes and inlets on several roads and easements. It also includes increasing the capacity of the detention pond on Chelsea Moor.
Current Work:
Crews are currently excavating in the Public Utility Easement (PUE) between Three Oaks Trail and Columbia Oaks Court, toward Woodcrest Drive, in preparation for the installation of the new storm drain system. New storm drain installation along Columbia Oaks Drive is scheduled to begin at the end of the month.
Excavation activity
Project Timeline:
Estimated Construction Phasing Plan (from January 2026 – January 2028)
Construction began in January 2026 at Columbia Oaks Drive/Court.
- Phase 1: approximately 10 months
- 8 months to complete excavating the limestone and preparing the PUE for the new storm drain system.
- 2 months to place new storm drain within PUE.
- Phase 2: approximately 3 months
- 1 month to excavate within Woodcrest Drive, between PUE and Three Oaks Trail.
- 2 months to relocate water and wastewater lines at Three Oaks Trail.
- Phase 3: approximately 3 months
- 1 month to relocate water lines (includes excavation and trench repair) in Oak Knoll Drive.
- 2 months to install new storm drain in Woodcrest Drive, between Oak Knoll Drive and Broad Oaks Drive.
- Phase 4: approximately 1.5 months
- Install new storm drain in Oak Knoll Drive.
- Phase 5: approximately 2 months
- Install new storm drain in Broad Oaks Drive.
Final paving and site clean up
- Phase 6: approximately 3 months
Water and Utilities:
- We will need to periodically shut off water around the work area to complete the work. We will leave a notice on the front door of affected homes 48 hours in advance with two exceptions:
- We may briefly turn off water without notice to test valves and equipment ahead of a planned outage.
- There is always the possibility of a temporary, loss of water or other service if a pipe or line is broken. We’ll respond immediately to restore service if this happens.
- If your residence is scheduled to be affected, please consider storing water in a pitcher or bathtub in order to have water on hand during the shutoff. When services are restored, please flush your lines by running a cold-water bathtub spigot and an outside faucet for 10-15 minutes before using other faucets. This rids the system of any natural sediment buildup that may have occurred. It’s helpful to rinse out faucet screens as well.
- Austin Water Dispatch is available 24/7 at 512-972-1000 for any water-related issues.
Reminders:
- Scheduled Construction hours are:
- Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
We would like to remind community members that parking along the street is public and freely available to all, including construction workers' vehicles, unless surrounding signage specifies otherwise.
Oak Knoll Flood Risk Reduction Contacts:
Timmie Bui, Project Manager
Austin Capital Delivery Services
Timmie.Bui@austintexas.gov
512-974-7199
Jay Terrell, Project Inspector
Austin Capital Delivery Services
Jay.Terrell@austintexas.gov
For more information, email CapitalDelivery@AustinTexas.gov
Visit us online at AustinTexas.gov/StormDrains
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