PROJECT UPDATES
We are constantly striving to improve the quality of life within the boundaries of the Irving Flood Control District by maintaining and improving the infrastructure and working elements of flood control. View our current projects below for more details.
Pump REFURBISHMENT
In 2021, IFCD 3 determined the need to update the 30+ year-old pumps located within the pump station. One by one, all six pumps were disassembled and reconstructed using lighter-weight, more durable materials that would reduce operational costs. As of September 2023, all six pumps were successfully refurbished and reinstalled. These improvements allow stormwater to be pumped at a faster rate, while using less energy, resulting in long-term savings for the District and its taxpayers.
Discharge PipeS
As expected after four decades of use, our team identified deterioration of the pump station’s discharge pipes during a routine inspection. We used the opportunity to assess the best possible materials, coatings and installation methods to ensure the longevity of the new pipes.
With 80% of the pipes located underground within the levee, the District knew this project would require significant planning and assessment to not disturb the levee. After requesting bids from multiple engineering firms, IFCD 3 awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the discharge pipes. The rehabilitation will begin in spring 2024.
SLUICE GATES
While less visible than the pump station and canals that snake through Valley Ranch, there are many other tools IFCD 3 leverages to monitor and prevent flooding. Since constructing our facilities 40 years ago, we’ve utilized sluice gates, in tandem with our six pumps, to control how much water can flow through our canals before, during and after storms. Built to last decades, our existing sluice gates were constructed with extremely heavy, durable metals. While the gates successfully control water levels and limit our need to activate the pumps, they also require a significant amount of electrical power to open and close.
IFCD 3 is working with third-party engineers to create much lighter, more efficient sluice gates that maintain the same level of durability. The new gates, expected to be installed in late 2024, will significantly reduce the amount of energy used by the District during storms, leading to reduced operational expenses and an extended lifespan of the newly refurbished pumps.
VALLEY RANCH PARKWAY EAST CHANNEL REPAIR
During routine inspections, our staff concluded that select channel walls along Valley Ranch Parkway East were showing signs of natural erosion and would need to be replaced promptly, due to the walls’ proximity to the levee. IFCD 3 has successfully repaired the walls near the levee to ensure full functionality and reliability moving forward.
TILTING WEIR INSTALLATION
In an ongoing effort to conserve energy and reduce our need to activate the pumps during smaller storms, we began exploring the installation of a tilting weir, also known as a tilting gate. IFCD 3 is currently collecting bids from third-party engineering firms to help further control the water levels throughout Valley Ranch between storms or during light rainfall.