Central City

FAQs

What is the Central City Flood Control Project?

The two main components of the flood control project are: the rerouting of a section of the Trinity River due north of downtown and modifying a large park on the east sie of the city to better manage flood events in a manner that will also restore the area.

The new channel will move help move water more efficiently through the area north of downtown during large flood events.
Newly built flood water storage areas in Gateway Park will slow flood waters so that downstream flood levels do not change.

Why does Fort Worth need the project?

Fort Worth is one of the country’s fastest growing cities. Our population has grown from 350,000 when the levees were originally built, to over 1,000,000 people today. Increased development results in higher flood levels during major storms.

Todays’ residents, homes and businesses are not adequately protected against storms the levees were originally built to contain. By taking a proactive approach to flood control and rerouting a critically vulnerable section of the Trinity River, thousands of homes and businesses, and over 1,000,000 people in the 11th largest city in the country, will be protected from disastrous floodwaters. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, $15 of flood damage is prevented for every $1 invested in flood protection.

We can invest in flood protection today or spend billions in disaster recovery tomorrow.

Who are the project partners and what are their roles?

Tarrant Regional Water District – land acquisition, relocation, demolition, and environmental cleanup. City of Fort Worth – utility improvements and relocations (sanitary sewer, water, storm drainage) and local street modifications. Department of Transportation – three four-lane bridges over the bypass channel. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – 10 flood water storage areas, bypass channel, 3 isolation gates, a dam, and pump station.

Presentations

We provide group presentations to inform the community about the project's history, as well as current project status, with graphics and video. If your group is interested in receiving a presentation, please contact matt.oliver@trwd.com.

Panther Island / Central City Project Overview

Project Studies

Fort Worth’s tremendous population growth issue, which led to our outgrowing of the current levee system, was identified back in the mid-1980’s. Our current levee system was built for a population of roughly 350,000 people and Fort Worth has now surpassed 900,000 people. Initially, there were 16 studies completed that led to the US Army Corps of Engineers Central City Flood Control Project, with an additional 7 studies to follow once the project was authorized.

Supporting Studies Leading up to and verifying USACE Central City Project

USACE Cultural Resources

Since the execution of the Programmatic Agreement on March 29, 2023, the USACE has initiated the following identification and evaluation efforts in association with the Central City project:

1. A detailed background review, which is summarized in a letter from the SHPO, for all three of the flood control gates. This review resulted in a finding of No Historic Properties present.
2. Additional archaeological investigations within the Bypass channel APE.
3. Develop an Historic Context Addendum, to expand the temporal parameters to 1980 and include environmental justice considerations.
4. USACE Section 106 Determinations for Above Ground Resources of the Modified Central City Project.

Construction Elements of the Central City Project Unconstructed Elements of the Central City Project

FAQs

What is the Central City Flood Control Project?

Why does Fort Worth need the project?

Who are the project partners and what are their roles?

Presentations

Project Studies

Quarterly Updates

USACE Cultural Resources

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