Summer Priorities for the District

The hottest month of the year has arrived! Unlike June and July, which tend to bring summer showers with their higher temperatures, August brings heat with little to no rainfall. This lack of rainfall contributes to temperatures rising to the mid-to-upper 90s in Irving, with some years, such as the hottest month ever recorded in DFW, going well beyond the 90s.

With August’s extreme heat and lack of rain, you may wonder how the flood control district stays busy. Below, we’re highlighting some of IFCD 3’s main August activities.

• Maintenance Assessments – Just like homes and highways, District facilities – such as canal walls, the sump and our pump station – can be subject to damage from challenges brought by dry conditions and the clay-based soils in North Texas. In August, IFCD 3 team members monitor Valley Ranch’s 5.5 miles of canals and other waterways, along with the soil conditions across the District.
• Preventive Repairs – The District takes preventative measures when possible – reinforcing existing structures, filling cracks and anomalies along canal walls and inspecting canal banks and the levee for erosion. These actions help ensure that our community’s flood control assets remain intact and reliable in both dry and wet seasons.
• Planning – The District spends time throughout the summer months collecting bids from third-party engineers to ensure that the proposed budget for the new fiscal year accounts for any necessary repairs.
• In-water Projects – In August, water levels are often lower due to the lack of rain and the extreme heat causing evaporation. When water levels are lower, it gives third-party engineers easier access to deeper parts of our facilities, such as the pump station’s discharge pipes and sluice gates. We’re making significant progress on updating the coating within our discharge pipes, thanks to the water’s lower levels. We’ve also gained above-water visibility to specific portions of our station’s sluice gates, which has enabled the District to collect more accurate measurements of the gate. These measurements will be used by our third-party engineering firm to develop lighter, more durable gates in FY 2024-25.

With August’s extreme heat, it’s important for our project team, as well as community members, to stay hydrated and avoid spending too much time in the direct sun. Remember to find shade when possible and take advantage of our community’s many pools and spray parks to stay cool!