Austin, TX — The City of Austin has completed a major erosion stabilization project at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metropolitan Park. The $28.5 million initiative is the largest erosion control effort in the city’s history.
The work began in August 2022 to address severe and ongoing erosion along Country Club West creek. Flooding in 2015 had destroyed a pedestrian bridge and caused damage that threatened park amenities, residential areas, utility infrastructure, and nearby roads and bridges.
A new pedestrian bridge designed to withstand future floods now spans one of three newly built grade-control structures. These structures help manage stormwater flow from the creek to the Colorado River. Additional features include a naturalized river bottom, channel bank stabilization with rocks and native grasses, and the planting of more than 40 trees. The city also allocated $500,000 for further tree planting throughout the park to replace those lost due to erosion. Funding for the project came from Drainage Utility Funds, 2018 Bond Funds, and a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant.
Jorge Morales, Director of Austin Watershed Protection, said: “This project shows how thoughtful engineering, collaboration and innovation can correct the mistakes of the past. It protects our open spaces, improves park connectivity, enhances wildlife habitat, and helps build a more resilient Austin for the future.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson stated: “This project is about more than erosion control – it’s about protecting homes, infrastructure, and natural spaces while strengthening Austin’s flood resilience. Thanks to FEMA, Austin voters, and local partners, we’ve stabilized 35 acres of parkland and strengthened Austin’s resilience to flooding. This success reflects the power of collaboration between our city, federal partners and our community.”
The project was recognized as Project of the Year for 2025 by the Texas chapter of the American Public Works Association in its Environmental Projects category for projects valued between $25 million and $75 million.
The Austin Watershed Protection Department manages environmental programs aimed at reducing flooding impacts and pollution across more than 850 miles of creeks and over 1,100 miles of storm drains in Austin. The department employs over 400 staff members who oversee thousands of stormwater features such as ponds and rain gardens while investigating more than two thousand creek erosion sites each year.
Watershed Protection also works on development regulations and water quality monitoring as part of its mission to protect lives, property and community infrastructure through efforts that address flooding risks and environmental concerns (source).
For additional information about watershed protection or parks programming in Austin visit the official website.
