Erosion beneath the Echelon at Reverchon Bluffs townhomes in north Oak Cliff is seen above the banks of Coombs Creek on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
Residents have raised concerns about flooding and erosion across Dallas, including in the Coombs Creek area, where deterioration is visible from the street.
Now, the city is spending millions to evaluate over a dozen creeks, culverts, drainage ditches and tunnels to address flooding problems, eroding channels or deteriorating drainage infrastructure.
The Dallas City Council on Wednesday approved nearly $5 million in engineering contracts to fund surveys, designs and construction plans for flood management, storm drainage and erosion-control projects.
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Around Coombs Creek, engineers will evaluate flood-management needs to determine what maintenance or improvements may be necessary along the channel.
The plan will also stabilize eroded banks along the West Fork of Joe’s Creek to improve the channel’s ability to carry stormwater and address damage that threatens nearby streets, properties or public infrastructure.
Flooding and erosion can damage homes, businesses, streets and bridges. Nearly 7% of Dallas properties — or more than 20,000 locations — are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years, according to First Street, a climate risk modeling company.
When drainage systems are undersized, damaged or blocked, heavy rain can overwhelm them, causing flooded roads, standing water and unsafe conditions for drivers and pedestrians.
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Dallas’ flood risk is not only tied to heavy rain. A 2025 study found that about 98% of the city’s land area experienced some sinking between 2015 and 2021, with more than 70% sinking faster than 3 millimeters a year.
Repeated stormwater runoff can weaken creek banks and threaten nearby roads, utilities, parks, trails and properties. The engineering studies could help the city identify problems before they require emergency repairs.
The resolution doesn’t estimate how many residents could benefit, but the projects target both localized drainage problems and larger creek and floodplain systems across Dallas.
The projects are part of the city’s “2025 Flood Management, Drainage, and Erosion Control Projects” program.
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Four engineering firms will conduct the research: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Olsson Inc., Freese and Nichols and CDM Smith.
The contracts would be funded through several city accounts, including flood-protection funds and the Storm Drainage Management Capital Construction Fund.
The contracts would cover the early planning and engineering needed to understand drainage and flood risks, including site surveys, geotechnical investigations, floodplain studies and preliminary designs.
Engineers would also develop construction plans, analyze eroding channels, design storm-drainage improvements and assess whether existing infrastructure needs rehabilitation.
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Where the projects are
Knights Branch Upper Relief System Study
White Rock Creek Floodplain Management Study Update
Coombs Creek Flood Management Study Update
Coombs Creek Channel Maintenance Analysis
Elmwood Branch culvert at Edgefield Avenue
Elmwood Branch culvert at Tyler Street and Vernon Avenue
Kidd Springs Branch at Colorado Boulevard
Kidd Springs Tunnel Rehabilitation
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Harlandale Avenue-Strickland area
Storm-drainage relief near 4126 Maybeth Street
Storm-drainage relief at Crest Haven Road and Culcourt Street
North Davillia Drive Estates channel repair at 3755 Clover Lane
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Storm-drainage relief near 5827 Bluffman Drive
Storm-drainage relief near 6750 Willow Lane
14721 Birchridge Drive
12542 Planters Glen Drive.
Storm drainage relief in the Linwood Place, Rector Place and Briarwood Lane area
West Fork of Joe’s Creek channel repair at Brockbank Drive and Channel Drive