Why Does Valley Ranch Have Canals?
Valley Ranch has always stood out from other DFW communities for its natural beauty. From its well-maintained neighborhoods and businesses to lush parks and walking trails, it’s a suburban oasis for those looking for a break from the busy city environment.
For visitors and newer residents, one of the first things they notice is Valley Ranch’s network of canals and waterways, adding unique waterfront appeal in an otherwise landlocked area. But have you ever wondered why they’re there? (Hint: It’s more than just a beautiful view!)
Today, we’ll explore the history and purpose of Valley Ranch’s canals, as well as share how the IFCD 3 team keeps them working properly.
History of the Canals
The Valley Ranch canals were introduced in the early 1980s when developers began considering possible growth opportunities for the area. Irving’s Valley Ranch community offered a convenient, accessible location for residential and business expansion. But one major problem stood in their way – flooding. Its location was situated in the middle of a floodplain at the merging of the Elm Fork and Trinity Rivers, which posed increased flood risk.
In 1983, the Texas Legislature mitigated this risk and allowed Valley Ranch’s development by commissioning a flood control district, which eventually became the IFCD 3 of today. Once established, the district was tasked with building canal systems and other key infrastructure elements to protect the area from flooding.
Canal Maintenance
Today, the canals continue to play a key role in flood control, funneling water from Valley Ranch neighborhoods to a nearby pump station. This flood control system allows IFCD 3 to maintain consistent water levels in the community, even during storms and severe weather events.
Canals are regularly inspected by IFCD 3 to ensure they’re structurally sound and that water flows efficiently. If our team encounters an issue with water flow or system infrastructure, we assemble expert teams and engineering resources to quickly address the situation and restore the system to optimal use. We also work closely with the Valley Ranch Association to proactively monitor and respond to the community’s needs and feedback.
So, the next time you walk or drive along one of Valley Ranch’s canals, we hope you’ll remember the vital role they play in keeping the community safe from flooding. We’re sure you’ll think they’re beautiful, too.
To stay up-to-date on the latest flood control news and activities, follow IFCD 3 on Twitter and Facebook. Additionally, to learn more about our history, visit About IFCD 3.