Dixon Branch

Question: What is the basis for the Alternative flood control solutions?

Answer:

The goal of the proposed flood control solutions is to alleviate all structure (home) flooding in a 100-year storm event. The 100-year storm has a 1% chance of being equalied or exceeded in any given year. This is the current City of Dallas design standard.

Question: It seems that the flooding has gotten worse. Has upstream development caused the existing flooding between Easton and Peavy?

Answer:

According to reports published in 1984 and 1993, there is evidence and documentation of flooding in the Dixon Branch watershed dating back to the 1970s. The rain events that have occurred in the mid 90s and in 2006 are the most intense on record for this watershed.

Question: How will my home value be affected?

Answer:

If nothing is done to alleviate the existing flooding, the channel will continue to erode, causing loss of trees, further siltation of White Rock Lake, and eventual loss of infrastructure and property along the widening banks. In addition, homes will flood from intense storm events that will most likely continue to occur. This may negatively affect property values in the future.

Question: Will trees be lost along Dixon Branch?

Answer:

Tree loss is occurring now, will continue to occur in the future, and is inevitable with any Alternative. FNI will attempt to minimize the tree loss with each Alternative moving forward.

Question: How was the diversion pipe sized?

Answer:

The size of the pipe is based on removing approximately 10,000 cfs from Dixon Branch at Easton during a 100-year event. Approximately 3,100 cfs would remain in the channel at Easton to freely flow downstream. This would increase to approximately 4,500 cfs at Peavy. These numbers are conceptual and would be refined in design. Please see the Dixon Branch QUICK FACTS, located on the Photos and Graphics page, for more details about the existing flooding problems.

Question: How will the creek be maintained?

Answer:

FNI recognizes that keeping the channel free of large debris will reduce flooding in storm events. FNI will recommend that the City regularly inspect the creek and remove large debris, including trash, dead trees, etc.

Question: How does the White Rock Lake spillway affect Dixon Branch?

Answer:

The backwater of White Rock Lake stops at Buckner Boulevard. Therefore the flooding properties along Dixon Branch are not affected by the elevation of White Rock Lake. For more information please see the Dixon Branch QUICK FACTS located on the Public Documents page.

Question: When is a Voluntary Purchase used?

Answer:

Voluntary purchase is a flood control solution normally used when there is no other option to prevent flooding, when the flooding is frequent and severe, and when the neighborhood is generally in favor of purchase and requests that funding be included in a bond program.

Question: What is the benefit of a Voluntary Purchase?

Answer:

Voluntary Purchase has a positive flood-mitigation impact because it leaves the creek natural and results in additional open space.

Question: What happens in a Voluntary Purchase?

Answer:

It includes a one-time offer from the City to a property owner to puchase their property and land. The offer may be refused; however, there are normally no further attempts at flood protection for properties that do not take advantage of the offer. If the offer is accepted, the residential home is demolished and the lot is restored to natural conditions and left vacant thereafter.

Question: Will the Voluntary Purchase result in eminent domain action?

Answer:

Eminent domain is not used in Voluntary Purchase, as the fair market value offer is made to the property owner.

Question: Do all homeowners have to agree to sell their home for the Voluntary Purchase to be a viable alternative?

Answer:

No. The offer, and potential agreement to purchase, is made with each homeowner on an individual basis.

Question: Will there be a Homeowner Steering Committee formed?

Answer:

We presented this concept as a possibility at the previous Public Meeting in November of 2008. Based on lack of public interest (50% approval) and project budget constraints, we are unable to move forward with the Committee at this time.