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Flood damage on Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas

Waller Creek Trail is prone to severe flooding which undercuts the trail structures. The effects of high-velocity flood water on this downtown Austin trail are obvious. While concrete will withstand running water and being submerged for weeks at a time, damage can occur where water undermines the trail. Built in 1976, the trail corridor is the subject of current (2009) major improvement plans. For more on the trail and ongoing improvements, see the City of Austin Waller Creek page. See more photos of the limestone walks, walls, and bridges along Waller Creek Trail.

Click on any photo to see it full size:

(photos by Stuart Macdonald, May 7, 2007)

Asphalt section of Waller Creek Trail potholed by running flood water; Austin, Texas.

Concrete trail on stream bank undercut by flood water, Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas.

Warning sign where trail is undercut by flood water, Austin, Texas;, photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 2007.

Limestone walls, walks, bridges, and benches in Austin, Texas.

Warning sign where trail is undercut by flood water, Austin, Texas

Concrete trail on stream bank undercut by flood water, Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald , July 2007.

Concrete trail on stream bank undercut by flood water, Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas.

Concrete slab broke away after being undercut by flood water, Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 2007

Damage to trail by high-velocity flood water; Waller Creek in Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald.

High water left debris along railing, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald.

Armored section of trail with thick concrete withstood flood, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald.

Armored section of Waller Creek Trail with thick concrete held up to flood, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald.

Rocks and gravel from flood settled in this area where trail climbs out of Waller Creek; Austin, TX, July 2007.