DR1801-CN190118
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
January 18, 2019
Kent Collins, P.E.
Director of Public Works
City of Coppell
255 E. Parkway Blvd.
Coppell, TX 75019
RE: Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
Dear Mr. Collins,
This letter report presents an assessment of the flooding problems along the Woodridge Channel, specifically,
at the Wellington Place Apartments (Wellington) and Universal Academy (Universal) located on Sandy Lake
Road in Coppell, Texas. These properties have experienced flooding during several rain events, most recently
in May and June 2015. The goal of this study is focused on evaluating existing conditions to verify flooding
areas and developing two (2) conceptual level alternatives utilizing two-dimensional hydraulic analysis to
alleviate flooding at these two properties.
STUDY AREA
The Woodridge Channel is a tributary of Denton Creek that spans approximately 1 mile from its confluence
with Denton Creek to Redcedar Way Drive in the Woodridge subdivision in the City of Coppell. The study
portion of the channel drains parallel to Sandy Lake Road and extends from its confluence with Denton Creek
to downstream of MacArthur Drive. The channel is not part of a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) according
to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). However, the channel is controlled by backwater from Denton
Creek which is also controlled by the Elm Fork Trinity River. Universal and Wellington are located south of the
channel and contain storm water systems that outfall into the channel. A location map is provided in Figure 1.
See attached Exhibit 1 for overall location map.
Figure 1. Project Area
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
FLOODING HISTORY
In May and June 2015, heavy sustained rainfall throughout North Texas resulted in record flooding in the
Denton Creek and Elm Fork watersheds. Residents of the Wellington Place Apartments reported knee high
ponding and the City of Coppell initiated pumping of the existing wet well near Universal to reduce flood depths.
The USGS gage located at Sandy Lake Road and the Elm Fork Trinity River reported a peak water surface
elevation of approximately 444.5 feet, almost 3 feet higher than the lowest ground elevation at Wellington. The
storm was reported to be equivalent to a 10-year frequency storm event. As a result, the City of Coppell
contracted Halff Associates, Inc. to perform a drainage feasibility study to evaluate alternatives to reduce flood
depths at these two properties.
PREVIOUS STUDIES
The following studies have been previously conducted including the Woodridge Channel.
• Woodridge Channel Improvement Concept Study – Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc. (TNP), April 2014
• Denton Creek Drainage Study – Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff), October 2018
The TNP study was used as the basis for this evaluation and was further modified to incorporate local impacts
to storm sewer systems within Universal and Wellington properties. The Halff study performed a two-
dimensional (2D) analysis for Denton Creek which incorporated the Woodridge Channel for calibration to
reported flooding during the May/June 2015 floods.
DATA COLLECTION
The data collected for this analysis included recorded flood complaints, previous hydrologic and hydraulic
studies, and digital spatial data. Digital spatial data was obtained from the City of Coppell provided in ERSI
ArcGIS format including the following data:
• 2018 City of Coppell Storm Drain Lines and Storm Inlets
• 2009 Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
Topography
• 2018 City of Coppell Zoning
• Drainage Improvements for Lot 1 Wellington Place Addition Design Plans
• Wellington Place Apartments flood limit
Channel and structure surveys were conducted by Halff in August 2018 at the six culvert crossings within the
project limits including Sandy Lake Road, the Christus St. Joseph Village Driveway, the three driveways to
Universal Academy, and MacArthur Boulevard. Field survey of the existing storm drains and inlets within
Wellington and Universal was performed to obtain ground elevation, inlet size, and inlet flowlines. The datum
used was the North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83), and the project coordinate system used was State Plane
Texas North Central FIPS (4202). The North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD 88) was used.
HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS
The existing hydrologic model that was used to generate storm event discharges was based on the TNP study
which utilized HEC Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) version 3.5. Utilizing LiDAR topography and
storm sewer information, the drainage areas and runoff curves numbers were revised to reflect the added
detail required to evaluate the storm sewer system within Wellington called the revised existing conditions
model. The revised existing conditions model was based on fully developed land use conditions for the 2-, 10-
, 50- and 100-year storm events. The revised existing conditions HEC-HMS model was used to provide input
hydrographs at the upstream limit of the study located at the downstream face of MacArthur Boulevard.
Hydrology for the remaining drainage areas were computed using 2017 XPSWMM in conjunction with the 2D
hydraulic analysis. Table 1 shows a comparison between the previous TNP study and the revised existing
conditions model 100-year discharges.
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Table 1. 100-Year Discharge Comparison
Location
Element Name Drainage Area
(mi²) 100 YR (cfs)
TNP Halff TNP Halff TNP Halff Difference
Upstream of
MacArthur Blvd J_MacArthur J_MacArthur 0.43 0.45 1,523 1,686 163
Downstream of
MacArthur Blvd J_Mac_DS J_Mac_DS 0.44 0.45 1,566 1,686 120
Downstream of
Universal
Academy
Crosssing
J2 WDR_03 (J2) 0.47 0.48 1,656 1,756 100
Sandy Lake
Road J3 J3 0.50 0.53 1,733 1,859 126
The differences in discharge can be attributed to additional subbasin delineation necessary to simulate the
storm sewer system and inlet capacity within Wellington and Universal hydraulically, minor differences in total
drainage areas, and updated Curve Numbers. Curve Number attributes were selected based on the City of
Coppell zoning files. Lag times were kept consistent with the TNP study, except for inlet basins within the
study area computed using the TR-55 method while maintaining a minimum time of concentration of 10
minutes per the City of Coppell Code of Ordinances Appendix C. Design Criteria and Standards. Channel
routing through the Woodridge Channel for the reaches upstream of MacArthur Boulevard utilized the same
storage vs area curves determined from the TNP study. See attached Exhibit 2 for drainage area map.
HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS
Existing Conditions
Existing conditions hydraulic analysis was performed in XPSWMM version 2017.1.1. The storm sewer network
within the Wellington Place Apartments and Universal Academy were simulated using links and nodes based
on as-built design plans and the City of Coppell GIS storm sewer file. Inlets were modeled using inlet capacity
curves generated from field reconnaissance measurements. The Woodridge Channel was modeled using
cross sections obtained from the TNP study. The hydrograph from node J_Mac_DS (at MacArthur Boulevard)
in the revised existing conditions HEC-HMS model was used as the input for the upstream limit of the study.
The downstream limit for the study was the confluence with Denton Creek, where a stage-hydrograph from
the Denton Creek Drainage Study performed by Halff in 2017 was used to simulate tailwater conditions. Figure
2 displays the XPSWMM model layout. See attached Exhibit 3 for existing floodplain mapping of the 2-, 10-,
50- and 100-year storm events.
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Figure 2. XPSWMM Model Layout
Model Calibration
The existing conditions model was calibrated to the May/June 2015 storm event. The rainfall during that period
correlated to approximately a 10-year storm event. Therefore, the 10-year event was chosen as the calibration
frequency storm. Flooding information from the May/June 2015 event, provided from the City of Coppell, was
used to facilitate model calibration. As a result, the model was able to reproduce similar flooding limits and
depths in Wellington as shown in Figure 3. The City provided survey points for the flooding extents, which
were used in the calibration.
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Figure 3. Calibration Results
ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS
Two storm sewer improvement alternatives were analyzed to determine impacts on the Wellington Place
Apartments. The first alternative includes a pump station located east of Universal where the Wellington
system outfalls into the Woodridge Channel. It is currently under design by Vasquez Engineering for the
apartment complex. The second alternative includes a redirection of the existing storm sewer system. Three,
new four-grate inlets located within the courtyard of Wellington are included in both alternatives to collect areas
of ponding. Installation of flap gates at the downstream face of Christus St. Joseph Village Driveway are also
included in both alternatives to minimize flooding from Denton Creek within Wellington and Universal. The
results are discussed below, along with a summary of the conceptual level construction costs estimates for
both alternatives. Detailed conceptual level construction cost tables can be found as attachments to this letter
report.
Alternative 1
The first alternative selected consists of a proposed force main and wet well for Wellington Place. The
proposed plans include two 65 horsepower pumps within a 10-foot by 10-foot wet well and discharge via an
18-inch RCP with a flap gate installed at the outfall. The existing 60-inch is proposed to remain however the
existing headwall and flap gate is to be removed and replaced to accommodate the new 18-inch RCP. New
flap gates are proposed for both outlets. The pumps were modeled using a multi-link feature in XPSWMM,
which defines pump features such as the size and capacity curve. This allows the runoff to discharge
completely from the storm sewer system without causing the existing storm sewer to surcharge and flood the
apartments. Figure 4 and Figure 5 show flood depths for the 10- and 100-year events. As shown in Table 2
and Table 3, Alternative 1 reduces flood depths by a maximum of 1.5 and 0.7 feet for the 10- and 100-year
storm events. There are no adverse impacts on the Woodridge channel.
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Figure 4. Alternative 1 10-year Storm Flood Depth
Figure 5. Alternative 1 100-year Storm Flood Depth
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Table 2. Alternative 1 10-Year Depth Comparison
Node
Name
10 Year Depth (ft) Difference
(ft) Existing Alt 1
IN_006 1.4 1.1 -0.3
IN_007 0.6 0.3 -0.3
IN_008 1.4 0.2 -1.2
IN_009 1.7 0.2 -1.5
IN_010 0.4 0.4 0.0
IN_011 0.3 0.2 -0.1
Table 3. Alternative 1 100-Year Depth Comparison
Node
Name
100 Year Depth (ft) Difference
(ft) Existing Alt 1
IN_006 2.0 1.4 -0.6
IN_007 1.0 0.5 -0.5
IN_008 1.8 1.1 -0.7
IN_009 1.9 1.3 -0.6
IN_010 0.6 0.6 0.0
IN_011 0.4 0.3 -0.1
Advantages
i. Pump and wet well already designed
ii. Relatively quick and easy construction
iii. No land acquisition or easement dedication required
iv. Minimal impact to surrounding properties
v. Reduces flooding within Wellington
Disadvantages
i. Increased Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Costs
The engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost for this alternative is $1.66 million.
Alternative 2
The second alternative selected consists of constructing a new storm sewer system to drain the runoff from
Wellington into an existing Riverchase Golf Club pond that eventually flows through a series of ponds that
outfall into the Elm Fork Trinity River. Constructing a new storm sewer system consists of capping or plugging
the existing 42-inch RCP located at the northeast corner of Wellington and installing a new 42-inch RCP that
discharges into the Riverchase Golf Club pond. The proposed system spans approximately 1,700-feet on 0.7%
slope extending to the pond and traverses through six separate property owners including Wellington. Due to
the discharge into the Elm Fork Trinity River floodplain, a coincidental peak was used in accordance with the
North Central Texas Council of Government Integrated Stormwater Management Technical Manual Table 1.10
Frequency for Coincidental Occurrences. Table 4 provides the data utilized for the coincidental peak along
the Elm Fork Trinity River. Known water surface elevations from the FEMA effective model were used as the
tailwater condition for the proposed outfall. Figure 6 and Figure 7 show flood depths for the 10- and 100-year
storm events. As shown in Table 5 and Table 6, alternative 2 reduces flood depths by a maximum of 1.6 and
0.9 feet for the 10- and 100-year storms.
Table 4. Coincidental Peak Frequencies
Frequency Event (YR) Tailwater*
(ft) Woodridge Elm Fork
100 10 438.8
*Tailwater elevation from FEMA effective model
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Figure 6. Alternative 2 10-Year Storm Flood Depth
Figure 7. Alternative 2 100-Year Storm Flood Depth
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC.
1201 NORTH BOWSER ROAD TEL (214) 346-6200 WWW.HALFF.COM
RICHARDSON, TX 75081-2275 FAX (214) 739-0095
Table 5. Alternative 2 10-Year Storm Flood Depth
Comparison
Node
Name
10 Year Depth (ft) Difference
(ft) Existing Alt 2
IN_006 1.4 1.1 -0.3
IN_007 0.6 0.3 -0.3
IN_008 1.4 0.4 -1.0
IN_009 1.7 0.1 -1.6
IN_010 0.4 0.4 0.0
IN_011 0.3 0.4 0.1
Table 6. Alternative 2 100-Year Storm Flood Depth
Comparison
Node
Name
100 Year Depth (ft) Difference
(ft) Existing Alt 2
IN_006 2.0 1.1 -0.9
IN_007 1.0 0.5 -0.5
IN_008 1.8 1.1 -0.7
IN_009 1.9 1.3 -0.6
IN_010 0.6 0.6 0.0
IN_011 0.4 0.3 -0.1
Advantages
i. No O&M Cost
ii. Reduces flooding within Wellington
iii. Solves backwater issues from Denton Creek
Disadvantages
i. Requires easement dedication
ii. Construction disruption to Wellington residents
iii. Diverts runoff onto another property
The engineer’s estimate of probable construction cost for this alternative is $1.64 million.
COST ESTIMATES
Conceptual level construction cost estimates were prepared for each alternative, reflects 2018 unit prices and
are provided as an attachment to this letter. All costs presented in this letter report are based on average unit
prices per the TxDOT average low bid unit prices and bid tabulations from recent projects constructed within
the DFW Metroplex. An allowance for contingencies was included based on 40% of the total construction cost.
Engineering service fees are estimated at 18% of the total estimated construction cost. A summary of the
conceptual level construction cost estimate is provided in Table 7 below.
Table 7. Conceptual Construction Cost Estimate Summary
Alternative Alternative Description Cost1
1 Pump and Wet Well $ 1,657,000
2 Storm Sewer Realignment $ 1,641,000
1. Includes 40% Construction Contingency, 18% Engineering Fee
D
ENTO N C R E E K
SANDY LA KE ROAD
RIVERCHASEELEMENTARYSCHOOLSMACARTHURBLVD Stream
Wellington Place Apartments
City Boundary
ExhibitDenton CreekExhibit 1Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
Project
Project Area MapTitle
Watershed
0 500 1,000
Scale in Feet
Aerial Imagery from 2018 NearMap
KEY TO FEATURES
COPPELL
CARROLLTON
D ENTONCRE E KSAN DY L AKE ROAD
SMACARTHURBLVDWDR_01183.9 Acres
WDR_02107.2 Acres
WDR_0416.1 Acres
IN_0053.4 Acres
WDR_0311.2 Acres
IN_0021.6 Acres
IN_0030.6 Acres
IN_0040.8 Acres
IN_0080.6 Acres
IN_0072.6 Acres
IN_0063.0 Acres
IN_0091 Acre
IN_0101.2 Acres
IN_0111.2 Acres
IN_0120.6 Acres
IN_0011.5 Acres
Revised Existing Drainage Area
Existing Drainage Area
Wellington Pla ce Apartments
Stream
City Boundary
ExhibitDenton CreekExhibit 2Project
Drainage Area MapTitle
Watershed
Aerial Imagery from 2018 NearMap
KEY TO FEATURES
0 600 1,200
Scale in Feet
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
DENTONCREEKExhibitDenton CreekExhibit 3Project
Existing Floodplain MapTitle
Watershed
Aerial Imagery from 2018 NearMap
KEY TO FEATURES
COPPELL
0 200 400
Scale in Feet
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
CARROLLTON
Stream
Wellington Pla ce Apartments
City Boundary
10 Year
50 Year
100 Year
2 Year
Floodplains
DENTONCREEKExhibitDenton CreekExhibit 4Project
Alternative 1Title
Watershed
Aerial Imagery from 2018 NearMap
KEY TO FEATURES
COPPELL
0 200 400
Scale in Feet
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
CARROLLTON
SANDYLAKEROAD
SMACARTHURBLVDWellington PlaceApartments
Universal Academy ProposedFlap Gate
Nodes
Stream
City Boundary
Alternative 1 - 100 Yr Max Water Depth
0 - 0.25
0.25 - 0.5
0.5 - 1.5
1.5 - 3
3 - 6
6 - 9
9 - 12
12 - 15
Links
ProposedWet Well Replacement
DENTONCR E EK
ExhibitDenton CreekExhibit 5Project
Alternative 2Title
Watershed
Aerial Imagery from 2018 NearMap
KEY TO FEATURES
COPPELL
0 400 800
Scale in Feet
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
CARROLLTON
SANDYLAKEROAD
SMACART
HURB
L
V
D
ProposedFlap Gate
Wellington PlaceApartments
Universal Academy
Nodes
Proposed StormSewer Realignment
Stream
City Boundary
Alternative 2 - 100 Yr Max Water Depth
0 - 0.25
0.25 - 0.5
0.5 - 1.5
1.5 - 3
3 - 6
6 - 9
9 - 12
12 - 15
Links
Item Unit Quantity Unit Price Rounded Cost
Wet Well
Mobilization LS 1 $91,000 $91,000
Care of Water LS 1 $5,000 $5,000
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan LS 1 $5,000 $5,000
Implement Erosion Control Plan LS 1 $5,000 $5,000
Flap Gates EA 4 $65,000 $260,000
Wet Well and Pump1 LS 1 $600,000 $600,000
4-Grate Inlet (30" x 18")EA 3 $7,000 $21,000
Storm Sewer (18")LF 210 $75 $15,750
Estimated Cost $1,003,000
SUBTOTAL $1,003,000
40% Construction Contingency $401,200
TOTAL ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $1,404,200
18% Engineering Services2 $252,756
Total $1,657,000
Assumptions:
1. Wet Well plans and cost were developed by Vasquez Engineering. The estimated cost does not consider O&M.
3. All cost are in 2018 US Dollars as of November 1, 2018.
These estimates were prepared utilizing standard cost estimating practices. These statements exclude "soft" costs including, but not limited to, administrative costs, financing costs, USACE
permitting, geotechnical investigations, and construction materials testing. It is understood and agreed that this is an estimate only, and that Engineer shall not be liable to Owner or to a third
party for any failure to accurately estimate the cost of the project, or any part thereof.
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
ALTERNATIVE 1
Engineer's Opinion of Probable Cost
BY
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC
Wet Well and Pump
2. Cost of the Engineering Services is based on 18% of the estimates construction cost, including contingency.
Item Unit Quantity Unit Price Rounded Cost
Storm Sewer Realingment
Mobilization LS 1 $73,000 $73,000
Care of Water LS 1 $5,000 $5,000
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan LS 1 $13,000 $13,000
Implement Erosion Control Plan LS 1 $21,000 $21,000
Flap Gates EZ 4 $65,000 $260,000
Storm Sewer (42")LF 1,700 $220 $374,000
Drainage Easement LS 1 $21,000 $21,000
4-Grate Inlet (30" x 18")EA 3 $7,000 $21,000
Storm Sewer (18")LF 210 $75 $15,750
Pavement Remove and Repair SY 1,800 $105 $189,000
Estimated Cost $993,000
SUBTOTAL $993,000
40% Construction Contingency $397,200
TOTAL ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $1,390,200
18% Engineering Services1 $250,236
Total $1,641,000
Assumptions:
1. Cost of the Engineering Services is based on 18% of the estimates construction cost, including contingency.
2. All cost are in 2018 US Dollars as of November 1, 2018.
These estimates were prepared utilizing standard cost estimating practices. These statements exclude "soft" costs including, but not limited to, administrative costs, financing costs, USACE
permitting, geotechnical investigations, and construction materials testing. It is understood and agreed that this is an estimate only, and that Engineer shall not be liable to Owner or to a third
party for any failure to accurately estimate the cost of the project, or any part thereof.
Woodridge Channel Drainage Feasibility Study
ALTERNATIVE 2
Engineer's Opinion of Probable Cost
BY
HALFF ASSOCIATES, INC
Storm Sewer Realignment