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After years of flooding, Round Rock residents hopeful as new dam nears completion
“Every time it rains, we tense up and start watching the yard to see how high the water gets,” one resident said.
ROUND ROCK, Texas — Flood-prone neighborhoods in Round Rock are set to receive much-needed protection as a major dam project along Lake Creek nears completion.
According to the city, the dam is expected to provide flood relief for more than 1,000 homes in the area, addressing long-standing concerns from residents who have endured repeated flooding events.
For longtime resident Mary Jones, the risk of rising waters has been a constant worry.
“Every time it rains, we tense up and start watching the yard to see how high the water gets,” Jones told KVUE. “We flooded three times already, and the worst one was in 2010. The water came up to the fireplace. Everything – mattresses, chairs – we had to throw it all away. It was pretty bad.”
Michael Thane, executive director of public works for the city of Round Rock, said Dam 101 is currently under construction just outside Round Rock’s city limits and is designed to protect areas historically prone to flooding.
“We knew we needed to do something, but the planning took many years,” Thane said.
In a collaborative effort with the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District (WCID), the dam will be nearly a mile long and 4 stories tall. It is expected to contain runoff during heavy rains, reducing flood risks for over 5 miles of Lake Creek.
According to the city, the planning efforts culminated in 2020, when Upper Brushy Creek WCID voters approved an $85 million bond program to fund flood safety projects throughout the watershed, including Dam 101.
Thane told KVUE the project is estimated to cost $35 million, with the city of Round Rock contributing $2 million for its design.
“The project is underway now. It’s about a two- to two-and-a-half-year project. They’re anticipated to be substantially complete with construction by the end of this year, and then finish up the final completion early in 2026,” he said.
Once the dam is finished, the city said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will assess whether changes to the floodplain could allow homeowners’ insurance rates to be adjusted. Many residents are hopeful this will provide financial relief.
“We’re paying over $3,000 extra a year just for flood insurance,” Jones said. “Between car insurance, flood insurance, homeowners’ insurance, it all adds up to thousands of dollars.”