Purgatory Creek: Finding Flood Mitigation Solutions for San Marcos, Texas (Source: Texas Flood Today)
By Laura Casset, PE, CFM, CPESC (LAN), Tim Wilson, PE (LAN), John Espinoza, PE, CFM (City of San Marcos)
When it rains, it pours. And sometimes, along Purgatory Creek in San Marcos, Texas that’s not always welcome. The City of San Marcos, Texas, nestled between Austin and San Antonio, is not only home to the Texas State University Bobcats but also to a diverse and dynamic population, compromising students, academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and families, creating a vibrant community. Downtown San Marcos seamlessly blends historic architecture with natural greenbelts along the scenic San Marcos River, creating a picturesque urban landscape where the past meets the beauty of nature. Purgatory Creek runs through the city center and outfalls into the environmentally sensitive San Marcos River and contributes to the flooding of more than 300 homes and businesses.
