Proposal:
Reduce Flooding Along Flint Ave. and the Drive of Champions Through
Construction of an Artificial Lake
Cale Shoemaker, Cameron Waterman, Alex Cruz, Brandi Potter
Texas Tech Department of Facility Planning and Construction
1901 University Ave.
Second Floor
Lubbock, TX 79410
November 20, 2014
Thank you for taking time to consider the option of improving the drainage system on the Drive
of Champions and Flint Avenue by construction of an artificial lake. As students of Texas Tech
University, it is our job to improve the daily lives of other students and faculty. In this case, that
improvement will come with a drainage system in said areas which will result in an improved
transportation system on campus. The proceeding proposal includes detailed strategies to help
with improvements for these topics. The proposal details the following:
 The current situation.
 A project plan discussing approaches that can be taken to remedy the situation.
 Qualifications of the group, providing credibility of the authors.
 Costs and Benefits of implementing this proposal.
Please take action to help your fellow faculty and students of Texas Tech to find a solution to
this problem.
Regards,
Brandi Potter
Cameron Waterman
Alex Cruz
Cale Shoemaker
Current Situation
As everyone that has lived in Lubbock, TX for any period of time may know, when it
rains, it floods. This is especially true for a few locations on the Texas Tech campus. The
location that we would like to focus on however, is on the northern side of campus, specifically
on and around the Drive of Champions and Flint Avenue. With even the smallest amount of
rainfall, this area is prone to several inches of water accumulating on the roadways and
sidewalks. With any more than that, severe flooding may occur. With the potential of up to two
to three feet of accumulating water, flooding the streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and even some
buildings quickly becomes a very serious problem. Not only does this amount of flooding pose
as a serious safety concern, but also creates a serious concern for damage done to infrastructure
and automobiles, not to mention the travel problems that this level of flooding creates. There
have been countless times where access to this area of campus has been shut down due to
flooding. Whether it be a student's vehicle or the students themselves being swept away by the
current, it is clear that this is a safety concern that should be taken very seriously. Additionally,
the damage that this amount of water causes to the roadways, vehicles, landscaping, and
buildings is very costly in itself (Flood-Damaged Cars: Your Top Questions Answered).
Flooding can cause damage to a car’s engine which can total the car. As can be seen in Figure 1
on the next page, commuter parking for many of our students is indicated in red. These students
must drive on Flint Ave. and the Drive of Champions to exit the parking lot. From personal
experience, many cars have been seen broken down and abandoned on flooding days. In Figure
2, seen on the next page, bus routes also pass the problem area which causes students to need to
wade through knee deep water or not be able to get a ride home on time.
Being that this area is one of the main outlets in and out of campus and in conjunction
with all of the negative side effects that come with the current situation, it seems as though the
only logical resolution to these issues would be to find some method to lower the amount of
flooding that occurs in this area.
(Figure 1)
Map of Commuter Parking that is affected by flooding around Flint Ave. and the Drive of
Champions
(Figure 2)
Map of Off-Campus Bus Routes on Flint Ave. and the Drive of Champions
Project Plan
Our plan is to request the construction of an artificial lake or reservoir in one of the
following locations (numbered in order of feasibility) as indicated in Figure 3 below.
(Figure 3)
Map of area around Flint Ave and Drive of Champions for Potential Lake Spots
The most ideal choice is in area labeled “1” which is in the lot touching both Flint Ave. and the
Drive of Champions, located on the Business Administration building lot. The area is unused
except for tail-gating during game days and would make a great location for a lake. The area has
a few trees that would need to be removed. Water already collects in this area making unofficial
reservoirs during the year. The next step is to make these reservoirs permanent and deeper to
increase the amount of rain storage. In addition to making them deeper, water drainage systems
will need to lead to this area via small tributaries. The lake will need to be ramped towards the
road to prevent excess water from spilling into the parking lot but instead to remain on the street.
Design of Reservoir
Initially, a design company will need to be hired to plan the construction of the lake.
Calculations will need to be made to assess the amount of water on the roads during flooding
times to determine the depth of the reservoir. We have estimated 6,500 cubic yards, which is
indicated on our cost reflections, based off of the layout of the area marked “1” in Figure 3.
Once that has been assessed, the soil will need to be tested to determine if it is sustainable for
creating the lake or else additional measures will need to be introduced such as cement lining.
We estimate 0.4 acres worth of sealant will be necessary and it is reflected in our costs. A plan
must be constructed to assure water can run into the reservoir as well as assure it does not spill
into nearby parking lots. The most efficient form would be a tributary system made of cement
that would collect excess water from Flint Ave. and run into the reservoir. The Business
Administration building already has formations for allowing water to run out of their parking
into our designated area so this does not add to the cost and is a beneficial means to keep the lake
filled.
Construction
Once the design is finished, preparations will need to be made. The trees will need to be
removed as they will most likely be in the way of the reservoir. There are roughly 9 trees in the
way of the lot which will be included in the costs calculations later in this proposal. Once the
trees are removed, we suggest hiring a soil removal expert to remove and carve the land for the
reservoir. Some companies will remove the soil for free or at a lowered rate if they are allowed
to haul the soil away for their own use. This will need to be researched further.
Once the land is carved for the reservoir and the soil is compacted or lined with cement,
installation of water, tributaries and additional decorations will ensue. Features may include
shrubbery, a dock, or a fountain.
To avoid campus digestion during the school year, we suggest construction take place
during the summer period of the year when less students will be utilizing the area as a whole.
There are exits from the Drive of Champions directly to 4th Street and Marsha Shark Highway
for convenience of hauling away materials. Additionally, the parking lot of the Coliseum located
on the Drive of Champions could be utilized for storing of construction tools and trucks to not
block campus roads.
Maintenance
For upkeep of the reservoir, tests will need to be conducted appropriately throughout the
year to reduce bacterial growth and soil erosion. The better the design of the project, the less
maintenance fees will be. Maintenance can be handled by Texas Tech itself or serviced by a 3rd
party organization. This also opens up opportunities for student organizations to adopt the
reservoir as a community service project to benefit the campus as a whole. This could minimize
the cost of maintenance.
Qualifications
Our team is composed of two engineers, a design major, and an HDFS major. We have
been Texas Tech University students for at least 3 years and know firsthand the experience of
commuting to and around campus. As frequent users of the commuter off-campus bus system,
we are qualified to comment on the difficulties that arise when flooding on the Drive of
Champions occurs and how it can be a disruptive element to following a time schedule for
academics for many of our peers. In addition, members of our team also utilize the commuter
parking which is located along the Drive of Champions. Through personal experience we have
noted broken down vehicles and the inability to safely reach the parking lot without dredging
through knee-deep waters during flooding.
As members of student organizations, we have received grievances for arriving to
scheduled meetings due to the flooding on the Drive of Champions. Two of our members, one
being an officer and the other a member of the Software Development Club have experienced
driving vehicles through water so high car repairs were needed for many of the club members
due to poor drainage systems. Because rain collects so quickly on campus, it is difficult to cancel
and rearrange meeting times to adjust for flooding as it is unpredictable. Cancelling club
meetings due to rain is an unacceptable approach to the problem.
In addition to our ties to the campus and desire to improve the lives of our peers, our
team has allotted research into water drainage systems such as man-made reservoirs or artificial
lakes as an option for rainwater collection. We feel that the amount of research conducted
credits our project plan as a viable option if it were introduced and implemented properly.
Benefits
Benefits to our project are an increase in convenience for all students, staff, and bus
drivers who use the Commuter North parking services, commuter bus routes, or who access the
campus by Flint Ave. or the Drive of Champions. Texas Tech’s campus is lacking of water
displays and an artificial lake could be a nice touch for the design of the Business Administration
building.
With the addition of the proposed reservoir, students do not have to risk damage to their
vehicle to come to class or extracurricular activities when the flooding becomes too excessive.
Flooding not only harms the roads but the facilities such as the Football Stadium lot and the
Baseball field. A reduction in excess water will promote healthier fields that won’t be unplayable
for our athletes.
If one is to look at the average cost of engine replacement in the U.S. ($3,000), and
compare this value with the costs listed below, one will quickly see that the amount of money
that will be saved in engine replacement alone will greatly outweigh the cost of construction in
no time at all. Additionally, if you were to add the costs for structural damage repairs to this
number, the cost benefit of this project becomes quite clear.
If this project is successful, it could be a huge stepping stone for future construction of
similar projects on campus in Lubbock as a whole which could reduce flooding in major problem
areas.
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Costs
The average costs for artificial lake installation and upkeep is as follows:
Land Surveying: $500
Soil removal (per cubic yard): $2.50
Tree removal (per tree): $150
Initial water installation (per 1,000 gallons): $4.31
Sealant (per acre): $10,000
Maintenance/Upkeep (per acre, per year): $1,000
Tributary System (per cubic yard): $12
(Lake Stream & Pond Construction Cost Guide by Biologists)
(Beginner's Guide - Lochow Ranch)
$500
Soil
Removal
(6,500 Cu.
Yds.)
$16,250
Total:
$25,229
Surveying
Fee
Tree
Removal
(9 Trees)
$1,350
Water
Installation
(48,500
Gallons)
$209
Sealant
(0.4 Acres)
Maintenance/Upkeep
(0.4 Acres)
Tributary System
Install
(210 Cu. Yds.)
$4,000
$400
$2,520
Fortunately, there are factors that will play in to this project that will help lower costs
dramatically. After speaking with a representative from the City of Lubbock, I was informed that
if the construction were to take place on school grounds, and if the school allows them to keep
the soil that they remove, there would be significant reduction in soil removal costs. This
reduction would be right around 50% off the established cost. As a result, the new cost of soil
removal would be $8,125, bringing the total cost down to $17,104.
Conclusion
With the addition of an artificial lake near Flint Ave. and the Drive of Champions, the
overall appeal of the campus will increase. It will prove that Texas Tech is making attempts to
tackle the issue of poor drainage systems that is prevalent throughout all of Lubbock. Students
will be more confident that they can use Commuter North parking lot systems and the offcampus bus system to reliably get to and from campus on days with excessive rain. Club
meetings and campus activities will not be impaired by weather as extensively as in the past
when roads were completely flooded and inaccessible without damage to vehicles. The Business
Administration building will obtain appeal through addition of a well sculpted artificial lake that
is unique to the look of the rest of our campus. The lake will increase the value and standards
that is held so valuable to our campus, especially due to its proximity to the Business
Administration building which is a leading facility of our campus. Texas Tech University will
prove that we are capable of tackling large issues such as countering the weather climate
conditions with unique solutions that improve our school overall and increase the quality of life
for current and future students. The time to invest for the future is now.
Work Cited
Www.ttu.edu. Texas Tech University. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. (Commuter Parking Image)
“A Novel High Performance Scan Architecture with Dmuxed Scan Flip-Flop (DSF) for Low Shift
Power Scan Testing.” Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology 4.4 (2009): 559-65. Web.
(Off Campus Bus Routes Image)
"Maps." Google. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. (Lake Locations Image)
Flood-Damaged Cars: Your Top Questions Answered. (2011, August 29). Retrieved November 16,
2014, from http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/08/27/flood-damaged-cars-your-topquestions-answered/
(Damage to Cars due to Flooding)
"Lake Stream & Pond Construction Cost Guide by Biologists." Spring Creek Aquatic Concepts. Web.
10 Nov. 2014.
(Info over steps to design and construct a new lake)
"Beginner's Guide - Lochow Ranch." Lochow Ranch. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. (Information over
Constructing a Lake)
"Cost to Remove Dirt." - 2014 Cost Calculator (Zip Code Based). Web. 10 Nov. 2014. (Information
over costs to remove dirt by zip code and cubic yards)
"Guide to Tree Removal Costs & Prices." Tree Removal. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. (Information over
estimates to remove trees depending on type and size)