Inside Valley Ranch Storm Response
Flood experts from Dallas County Utility & Reclamation District (DCURD) provide proactive and real-time flood management of IFCD 3 systems to keep Valley Ranch safe.
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at IFCD 3 during a rainstorm? While most residents are focused on staying dry, a coordinated effort is already underway to protect the Valley Ranch community.
Here are a few protocols our team of experts deploy:
Monitor & Prep Before the Rain Arrives
As soon as meteorologists predict a storm system is coming in, IFCD 3 begins monitoring weather forecasts and rainfall predictions. Active monitoring allows our team to anticipate conditions and prepare infrastructure before water levels rise.
Track Water Levels as Conditions Change
As rain moves in, we watch water levels across Valley Ranch, tracking how quickly water is rising and how quickly it’s moving through our channels. We aim to keep water levels at 418 feet above sea level to keep the flood control system operating as designed.
Activate Pumps When Needed
If water levels approach the 418-foot threshold, we begin pumping operations. Our pumps lift and discharge excess stormwater into the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and close the pump station’s sluice gates to mitigate rising river conditions.
Debrief with Inspections, Cleanup & Learning
Once storms pass, our team inspects channels and infrastructure, clear debris and evaluate system performance. Each storm provides valuable learnings that we use to strengthen flood protection in our community.
This is just a snapshot of how IFCD 3 prepares for and respond to storms. For a closer look at our storm response process, read the full feature in our FY 2024-2025 Annual Report!
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