Work could begin later this year on the building of a large water retention pond on the northeast side of El Paso.
The project belongs to the El Paso Water company and is designed to reduce floods in a part of the city that has frequently been inundated by heavy rains leading to flash flooding.
The utility company has now acquired land for what is being called the Will Ruth Pond, set to be built in an area bordered by Hondo Pass Drive to the north, Diana Drive to the west, and Railroad Drive to the south and east.
In order for the project to proceed, several hundred homes have been acquired by El Paso Water to make way for the construction of what will be several ponds.
Altogether, it is expected to cost just under $30 million to build a facility that will be 20 feet deep and comprise some 32 acres.
According to city document, the overall drainage area will make up 13 square miles, with the ponds themselves having a capacity of around 115 million gallons.
El Paso Water has received a combined grant and low interest loan of $5 million from the Texas Water Development Board to help move the project forward. The project is now nearing design phase completion.
Last summer neighborhoods on the northeast side city experienced flooding of just under 4 inches, damaging dozens of homes and businesses, and seeing large amounts of debris floating in those same areas.
By Garry Boulard
