Council expands erosion protections along Colorado River

City Council has approved an ordinance expanding erosion protections along the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam, aiming to prevent future damage in a part of East Austin particularly prone to extreme erosion. The new rules, approved at last week’s Council meeting, double the required buffer for erosion hazard zone analyses from 100 to 200 feet along the river’s shoreline in the affected area. Developers and infrastructure projects within that zone must now evaluate erosion risks, and depending on the findings, implement protective measures. The requirement does not apply to single-family home permits. The soils in that area are sandy and highly susceptible to erosion, making remediation efforts difficult and costly. Past erosion damage in the area has led to repairs or replacements of city infrastructure, including a pedestrian bridge in Roy G. Guerrero Park and stormwater outfalls at Tillery and Canterbury streets. The ordinance also includes citywide code clarifications for erosion hazard zones. It exempts non-habitable structures like sheds and fences from analysis requirements and limits erosion hazard zones from extending beyond public roads that run parallel to waterways.