Research about White Rock Creek

USGS1967

Floods on White Rock Creek at Dallas, Texas in 1962 and 1964

This atlas presents data pertaining to the regimen of flooding along White Rock Creek and its tributaries, Spanky Branch, Floyd Branch, and Cottonwood Creek at Dallas, Texas. The map and flood data were prepared to aid those concerned with, and responsible for, the safe and yet extensive use of the floodplain along White Rock Creek and its tributaries. The flood map is shown in two parts—A, north half, and B, south half. The map shows areas inundated by the flood of September 21, 1964, along White Rock Creek and Spanky Branch and by the flood of October 8, 1962, along Cottonwood Creek and Floyd Branch. The flood of September 21, 1964, is known to be the greatest since at least 1886 on White Rock Creek upstream from the Texas and Pacific Railroad (mile 6.6). Downstream from the Texas and Pacific Railroad, White Rock Creek has been subject to inundation from backwater from the Trinity River. The greatest known flood on Trinity River occurred May 25, 1908. Because of extensive flood-control works built since 1908 in the upper Trinity River basin, the degree of flooding resulting from a storm of the magnitude of the 1908 catastrophe probably would be substantially different today. No backwater from Trinity River occurred during the flood of September 21, 1964. The greatest flood since at least 1892 on Cottonwood Creek and Floyd Branch occurred June 14, 1949. The storm of October 8, 1962, caused flood heights at Forest Lane to be comparable to those of June 14, 1949, on Cottonwood Creek and about 1 foot lower on Floyd Branch. The greatest flood since at least 1917 on Spanky Branch was that of September 21, 1964. Greater floods than those delineated are possible.

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USGS1963

Floods on White Rock Creek above White Rock Lake at Dallas, Texas

The White Rock Creek watershed within the city limits of Dallas , Texas, presents problems not unique in the rapid residential and industrial development encountered by many cities throughout the United States. The advantages of full development of the existing area within a city before expanding city boundaries, are related to both economics and civic pride. The expansion of city boundaries usually results in higher per capital costs for the operation of city governments. Certainly no responsible city official would oppose reasonable development of watersheds and flood plains and thus sacrifice an increase in tax revenue. Within the words "reasonable development" lies the problem faced by these officials. They are aware that the natural function of a stream channel, and its associated flood plain is to carry away excess water in time of flood. They are also aware that failure to recognize this has often led to haphazard development on flood plains with a consequent increase in flood damages. In the absence of factual data defining the risk involved in occupying flood plains, stringent corrective and preventative measures must be taken to regulate man's activities on flood plains to a point beyond normal precaution. Flood-flow characteristics in the reach of White Rock Creek that lies between the northern city boundary of Dallas and Northwest Highway (Loop 12) at the upper end of White Rock Lake, are presented in this report. Hydrologic data shown include history and magnitude of floods, flood profiles, outlines of areas inundated by three floods, and estimates of mean velocities of flow at selected points. Approximate areas inundated by floods of April 1942 and July 1962 along White Rock Creek and by the flood of October 1962 along Cottonwood Creek, Floyd Branch, and Jackson Branch, are delineated on maps. Greater floods have undoubtedly occurred in the past but no attempt is made to show their probable overflow limits because basic data on such floods could not be obtained. Depths of inundation can be estimated from the information shown. Elevations shown are in feet above mean sea level, datum of 1929. The data and computations supporting the results given herein are in the files of the Geological Survey in Austin, Texas.

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