Amarillo city leaders have approved a major flood mitigation project designed to significantly increase drainage capacity at Lawrence Lake, a move officials say will strengthen the city's ability to manage severe stormwater events and reduce future flooding risks.
The Amarillo City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the construction contract for the Lawrence Lake Pump Station and Force Main project during its May 26 meeting. The amendment establishes a guaranteed maximum price of $14.26 million for the project, which will be funded through the city's 2023 drainage bond program.
The project stems from concerns raised following widespread flooding in Amarillo during 2023, when heavy rainfall overwhelmed portions of the city's drainage infrastructure, including Lawrence Lake, also known as Playa 6, and nearby McDonald Lake. Equipment failures and limited pumping capacity became focal points in discussions about how to better protect neighborhoods and businesses from future flood events.
According to city officials, the Lawrence Lake project will dramatically increase pumping capacity from its current rate of approximately 3 million to 4 million gallons per day to roughly 15 million gallons per day once completed. The enhanced system is expected to provide a substantial improvement in the city's ability to move stormwater away from flood-prone areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
Amarillo Managing Director of Capital Projects Jerry Danforth presented details of the project to council members, describing it as one of the most technically challenging infrastructure efforts undertaken by the city in recent years.
The project includes construction of a new pump station, a deep underground wet well, and a 30-inch force main pipeline extending from Lawrence Lake to Bell Street. Construction methods will include both directional boring and open-cut excavation, which could create temporary traffic impacts in parts of the project area.
One of the most notable aspects of the project is the use of secant pile construction, a deep foundation wall system created by drilling overlapping concrete piles into the ground. Danforth said the technique has not previously been used in Amarillo and is more commonly associated with major infrastructure projects in areas with high groundwater levels or large-scale bridge construction.
The wet well itself will require excavation to a depth comparable to a five-story building. Contractors will drill concrete piles between 85 and 90 feet underground, creating an interlocking wall system that allows crews to excavate safely while maintaining structural stability. Much of the work will occur near the Interstate 40 corridor adjacent to Discount Tire.
Construction of the wet well is expected to take between six and eight months. At the same time, crews will begin installation of the force main pipeline, a process projected to last approximately one year. Once underground work is completed, a building will be constructed over the pump station infrastructure.
City officials said the project represents a long-term investment in Amarillo's flood resilience. The improvements are intended to address vulnerabilities exposed during recent storm events while modernizing critical drainage infrastructure for future growth and development.
If weather conditions cooperate, construction could begin within 30 to 40 days. The overall project is expected to take about a year to complete.
Upon completion, the upgraded Lawrence Lake system will provide nearly four times the pumping capacity currently available, creating a stronger defense against flooding and helping protect homes, businesses, and public infrastructure during major rainfall events.
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