wHAT IF yOUR yARD fLOODs?

If one were to calculate the elevation change from FM-407 on the South end of Copper Canyon to the bridge at Chinn Chapel and Estates Drive, there will be a 100-foot drop. The Poindexter Branch originates in the middle of Lantana’s two water districts and flows north then east through the northern half of Copper Canyon. The Poindexter Branch also has five (5) tributaries feeding its main flow within our Town. Poindexter’s total drainage area encompasses approximately 4 square miles.  Half lying in Lantana and half in Copper Canyon.

• Lantana borders Copper Canyon along our entire western border.
  • Approximately 2000 Lantana homes drain a major portion of their Post Construction Storm Water Run-off… INTO COPPER CANYON.
  • Lantana used to be forested farm land, today its nothing but   roads, swimming pools and roof-tops.As a result, the only place for water to flow from these homes is… INTO COPPER CANYON.
  • During the buildout of Lantana, high density housing blanketed our western border, running the entire length of Copper Canyon Road. 
  • Post Construction Storm Water Run-off flows from Lantana under Copper Canyon Road from six (6) detention ponds and Poindexter Branch. A poorly constructed detention pond located in Copper Creek also flows under Copper Canyon Road and floods a major portion of Ranch Road and homes bordering it during heavy rain evens.
•  The Poindexter Branch also gets its Storm Water Run-off from five (5) tributaries within our Town.  These tributaries extend from FM 407 on the South to Orchid Hill to the North.
  • Given that Copper Canyon land is only 50% developed, we contribute FAR LESS Storm Water Run-off to the Poindexter Basin watershed than Lantana 
  • However, as more land within the Town is developed into medium/high-density housing, the amount of Storm Water Run-off will increase exponentially.
  • The more roof-tops, roads and swimming pools that displace grasslands and trees, the higher is the risk for increased flooding within our Town.

The Town Council approved $149,000.00 to analyze any flooding issues tied to the Poindexter Branch flood zone running through Copper Canyon. The Poindexter Flood Study was completed last summer.  To date, the results of this Study have yet to be finalized or fully disclosed.   Town Council is dragging its feet on revealing the extent of our exposure to flooding from a major rain event.  This is compromising the safety and well-being of many Town residents and properties.  This is also a contributing factor to the recent 20% increase if FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE for home owners in our Town.

While preliminary Study results confirmed the occurrence of recurring flooding in several residential areas, no flood mitigation recommendations have yet to be forthcoming.  Preliminary cost estimates covering a Town-wide flood mitigation plan have surfaced, but no one is taking a serious look at this issue, as of yet. Flood Mitigation costs have ranged from $1 to $15 million dollars.  The Town does not have the financial resources to cover such expenditures.  However, State Funds are available through The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Regional Flood Planning Group (RFPG). FEMA also has several Flood Mitigation funding sources available with “no strings attached.”  Yet, the Council refuses to seek any funds because the cost is too high and there may be “strings” attached to these funds.  This is completely false.  The Town lacks resources to develop the proposals to seek this funding. However, it does have the funds available to hire a firm to develop proposals to obtain such funding.

The Town Council refuses to recognize the actual and potential flooding threatening our Town. Councilmen Andrews and Castillo have gone on record opposing any flood mitigation claiming that there is no justification for any immediate flood mitigation efforts.  This, in spite of several documented recent rain events that flooded Town streets and neighboring lands. Councilman Castillo stated at the recent “meet the candidates forum” that, and I quote, “if we had listened to that guy (former Town Councilman Ted Stranczek) the Town would be flooded today.”  Well, just 30 hours later, the Town experienced a major rain event (in excess of 3.5 inches of rain in 90 minutes) flooding numerous areas within the Town:

1. Flood waters over ran Chinn Chapel at Estates Drive. The recently installed storm drain was overwhelmed and the street was littered with debris.
2. Ranch Road was over-run by overflows from the Copper Creek Development. The street was littered with debris. 
3. Several streets in Copper Creek were covered with mud due to poorly constructed erosion fences. (SWPPP violation)
4. Several streets in Vickery Park were covered with mud from poorly constructed erosion fences. (SWPPP violation)
5. Mud and debris flowed from detention ponds in Vickery Park into the private ponds in Double Oak (MS-4, TCEQ and SWPPP violations)
6. The large Church-Pond East of Vickery Park was inundated with erosion run-off from this development. (MS-4, TCEQ and SWPPP violations)
7. Numerous other intersections and properties experienced temporary flooding due to this storm. 

Flooding in Copper Canyon is not an IF event, but WHEN.  Recognizing that the Town is experiencing a significant increase in housing development, this only compounds the need for action to mitigate future flooding events.  ACTION is needed NOW, but only EXCUSES are forthcoming.

• While cost is a major factor in flood mitigation efforts, there are State and Federal Funds available…most with “no strings” attached.  The mayor’s reluctance to seek funding endangers our residents’ lives and IS A DISGRACE.