IFCD 3: Key to the Founding of Valley Ranch

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a new member of our community, it’s important to understand the history of how Valley Ranch came to be. Today, we’re looking at the community's beginnings and how IFCD 3 played a key role in its creation.

Up until the second half of the 20th century, the area north of what is now LBJ Freeway in the northeast quadrant of Irving was ranch land. Following construction of DFW International Airport in the 1970s, the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex experienced dramatic growth in the number of businesses and residences in the area. The proximity of Irving to the new airport made the area an increasingly attractive area for office, residential and retail development to meet this demand.

However, there was a catch. Most of this ranch land was designated as a flood plain, placing any structures built there at risk for damage or destruction from high waters from the Elm Fork of the Trinity River during heavy storms.

The solution was to construct a levee, followed by a system of waterways, water holding facilities, pumps and sluice gates to manage excess water in the area, protecting the community from potential flooding. Commissioning of a flood control district by the Texas Legislature in 1983 enabled the design, engineering and construction of this system by the newly created Irving Flood Control District Section III. With taxpayers in the District investing in proactive flood control, the highly desirable business, retail and residential community that exists today could be developed without a need for residential and commercial property owners to purchase significantly more expensive federally mandated flood insurance.

Nearly forty years later, IFCD 3 continues to deliver flood control, prevention and maintenance across Valley Ranch. So, next time you ride a bike near one of our community’s waterways, take a photo in front of a nearby water feature or sit by your window and watch a thunderstorm roll by, we hope you’ll think of IFCD 3 and our ongoing mission to provide flood control to Valley Ranch.

For a deeper look into our history, check out this video from our website.

To stay updated on all things flood control, follow along on social media! Scan the QR code below to follow IFCD 3 on Facebook.

Scan QR Code