Tag Archives: Watershed Protection Department

City releases 'State of the Environment' report

The City of Austin released its annual State of the Environment Report on Earth Day, providing an update on Austin’s air and water quality, urban forest, parkland, and climate resilience in 2024. The city’s environmental officer is tasked with compiling…

Environment • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 25, 2025

Rite of spring: Dog-killing algae makes an early appearance in Austin waterways

Scientists with Austin’s Watershed Protection Department have spotted clumps of blue-green algae near Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake. This year marks one of the earliest seasonal reports of the algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which can be toxic…

Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 23, 2025

Watershed report focuses on projects to prevent and prepare for floods

The Watershed Protection Department has released its 2024 annual report, highlighting a lengthy list of achievements in flood prevention, future flood preparedness and erosion control projects in several corners of the city. The department credits these efforts for Austin’s improved…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Apr 18, 2025

Environmental Commission hears briefing on 2026 bond election

The Watershed Protection Department would need an estimated $2 billion to solve the city’s most severe watershed problems and other critical needs. A bond package expected to go before voters in 2026 would cover a portion of those costs, if…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Mar 24, 2025

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Planning Commission endorses, amends updated erosion protections

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 25 to recommend, with amendments, an ordinance proposed by the Watershed Protection Department to add new erosion protections to a section of the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam. The Austin Monitor has previously…

Environment • By Miles Wall • Mar 4, 2025

Updates to erosion protections coming to Council

During the inaugural meeting of City Council’s newly formed Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee on Feb. 26, members heard a briefing on a proposed ordinance from the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) to increase erosion protections along the Colorado River.…

Environment • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 28, 2025

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Palm Park improvements are among the next steps for Waterloo Greenway project

A recent city memo and presentation to the Downtown Commission last week offer some up-close looks at the progress and next steps for the Waterloo Greenway project that is making major improvements along Waller Creek’s route through downtown. The memo…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 23, 2025

Austin Watershed Protection Department proposes code updates to further protect the Colorado River

The Austin Watershed Protection Department held a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center to discuss proposed code updates regarding the Colorado River. In 2022, City Council passed a resolution directing the city manager…

Land Development Code • By Hunter Simmons • Nov 4, 2024

City-owned land will be repurposed to add 5 new parks in Austin

Five new parks are joining Austin’s parks system, adding much needed green spaces to areas considered to be “park deficient.” Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has over the years acquired land for things like protecting the environment and managing floodwater. These…

Parks • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 11, 2024

Texas fatmucket mussel conservation provides significant value in regional water filtration efforts

At its regular meeting Sept. 18, the Environmental Commission heard updates on Austin’s freshwater mussel population from Matt Johnson, Texas freshwater mussel conservation and recovery coordinator with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bianca Perez, an environmental scientist with…

Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Sep 24, 2024

After leak repairs, Barton Springs reopens weeks earlier than expected

In a piece of good news – especially as recent sweltering temperatures have confirmed that summer doesn’t end till late September – Barton Springs is set to reopen today, on a Thursday, no less. During weekly pool maintenance Aug. 29,…

Parks • By Lina Fisher • Sep 19, 2024

Watershed Protection details preparation for Old Lampasas Dam repairs

The Watershed Protection Department appears to ready to move ahead with the start of the Old Lampasas Dam #3 Modernization Project, having completed the diligence called for by City Council this spring. In a memo released Monday, WPD Director Jorge…

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