Featured Park Ponds

When designing stormwater facilities, El Paso Water incorporates amenities, wherever feasible. Park ponds have a dual purpose of reducing the flood risk and improving quality of life. Each is developed in coordination with the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department.

The utility has converted a number of barren ponding areas, which were once eyesores in the community, to landscaped park ponds featuring landscaping, benches and more.

Thomas Manor Park transformed into a park-pond

The Thomas Manor Park Pond and Pump Station was designed to capture and retain water during heavy rain events, but many times stagnant water that would linger for days. El Paso Water increased the capacity of the retaining pond from 3 million gallons to 14.4 million gallons, the equivalent of 21 Olympic swimming pools.

El Paso Water relocated the retaining pond to another area of the park and improved the pump station, preserving the popular walking trail. The water collected after heavy rainfall will be pushed through a force main and carried to the Playa Drain, where it will eventually make its way to the Rio Grande. Aging wastewater and water pipes were also replaced to minimize future service disruptions.

For decades, the park provided a place for families to gather and students from nearby Thomas Manor Elementary to enjoy, but the park’s amenities were in need of a facelift. The city’s parks and recreation department and YISD funded improvements to the walking trail, tennis courts, basketball courts and play area.

Austin Pond: in partnership with Creative Kids

Austin Pond is one of several projects in Central El Paso that improves flood control in the Government Hills drainage system. The pond collects about 3.5 million gallons of stormwater, keeping it off neighborhood streets. Wrought-iron gates surround the pond along with walking paths, landscaping and a shade sculpture designed by Creative Kids for the neighborhood to enjoy.

Pollard Pond – from littered ditch to neighborhood amenity

Pollard PondPollard Park Pond in Central El Paso is one of several projects designed and constructed to improve flood control in the Government Hills drainage system. The project increased the pond's capacity, replaced chain-link fences with wrought iron gates, and added new landscaping with new trees, plants, a walking path and benches.  The pond can collect up to 740,000 gallons of stormwater. Most of the stormwater is conveyed to the Pershing Dam, east of US-54.  Neighbors and community leaders say that improvements have deterred illegal dumping and improved the overall look of the area.

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