Flood Protection Plans for Brady, Texas: Model Investigation
Abstract
This memorandum constitutes a final comprehensive report on the results of a series of model tests conducted for the purpose of either verifying or modifying the basic design assumptions relative to an improvement project planned for protecting Brady, Texas, from floods on Brady Creek. Brady Creek rises in northern Menard and southern Concho counties in central Texas (see fig. 1). It flows for approximately 85 miles, generally in an easterly direction, to its confluence with the San Saba River, a tributary of the Colorado River. The creek drains an 810- square-mile area of gently rolling to rough country of which 578 square miles are above the city of Brady. The average fall in the vicinity of Brady, which is 29 miles above the mouth, is about eight feet per mile. The city of Brady is located 154 miles northwest of Austin, Texas. It is the county seat and largest commercial center in the Brady Creek watershed, having a population of 5,002 persons in 1940. The city lies along both sides of the creek -- the major portion, including the industrial and business districts, being situated on the right or south bank. The right bank is comparatively low, averaging about 23 ft above the stream bed. From the right bank the land slopes gently upward for a distance of about 1200 ft and then rises abruptly. The principal portion of the business district is located on this gently sloping area and is subject to flooding by Brady Creek. The city has constructed a rubble masonry floodwall and earthen levee along the right bank in an effort to protect the area from floods. These existing works provide protection against flows up to about 48,000 cfs. Approximately 264 acres of the city, including the major portion of the business district, were inundated by the maximum known flood. This flood occurred on 23 July 1938, and had a peak discharge of approximately 86,000 cfs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1949
- Accession Number
- ADA637735