Lakes and Canal Systems in Modern Urban Housing Communities:The Case of Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco, Texas, USA
Summary
Man-made lakes and the associated canal systems are becoming innovative features in modern urban housing communities. These freshwater bodies provide multiple functions, such as flood drainage basins, fishing areas, recreational sites and wildlife habitats. Moreover, they enhance the human settlements’ landscape ecology. I provide a perspective based on my walk-throughs of Phillips Creek Ranch – a modern urban housing community with man-made lakes and canal system –located in Frisco City, Texas, USA.
1. Context of Modern Housing Landscapes
Designing with nature in mind has been an integral part of landscape ecology in general and in the construction of modern human settlements in particular. Various water resources – both natural and man-made – are quite important elements in these fields of endeavors. These freshwater bodies include lakes and impoundments, as well as the associated systems of canals, creeks and rivers. The integration of water resources into landscape design and green architecture has become innovative feature in modern housing complexes or communities in the United States of America (USA).
Our 36-year-old eldest son Mikhail Robert and family (wife Teri and son Marcus Chase) reside at an apartment unit in Cortland Phillips Creek Ranch, Frisco City, Texas, USA (Figure 1). (‘Cortland’ is one of the apartment/housing units within the Phillips Creek Ranch complex.) The very hospitable Filipino-American (Glenn Villaseñor), who earlier transferred from the state of Mississippi, informed me that Frisco is a very conducive place to live, particularly given its excellent housing amenities. The 2018 survey of MONEY Magazine awarded Frisco as the ‘# 1 Best Place to Live in America’ (https://www.friscotexas.gov/1580/1-Best-Place-to-Live-in-America). Frisco City forms part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex within the State of Texas.
During this family visit (due to my son’s brain tumor operations) from November 2022 to January 2023, I undertook a series of walk-throughs around the various Phillips Creek Ranch’s amenities. These included up-close viewing of its man-made lakes and the associated canal systems. In this 36th blog, I share my perspective about these freshwater bodies that provide multiple functions such as catch basins during a flood, fishing areas, outdoor recreational sites and wildlife habitats – including enhancing the housing community’s scenic beauty and landscape ecology.
2. Phillips Creek Ranch: An Overview
Phillips Creek Ranch (Figure 2) – also called by its acronym PCR – is among Frisco’s newest housing complexes and largest award-winning master-planned community (http://www.phillipscreekranchtx.com/). It is situated in the renowned B.F. Phillips Ranch property. Its real estate developer based in Dallas City is the Republic Property Group, that was established in 1967 by Richard C. Strauss. Located east of FM 423 and stretching north and south of Stonebrook Parkway, its office address is at 6515 Lone Star Ranch Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, USA. On top of a hill, PCR’s Vista Park Welcome and Information Center provide a panoramic view of Frisco City.
Key PCR’s features include over 100 acres of modern subdivision amenities, strategically-located green spaces, man-made bodies of water, particularly lakes and associated canal systems, paved trails, and outdoor parks. Within the immediate vicinity of Phillips Creek Ranch are shopping centers (such as Walmart and Target), restaurants and schools (see more features at https://lifestylefrisco.com/frisco-neighborhood-guide-phillips-creek-ranch/). I focus this blog on the Phillips North Lake, the smaller lake and/or tailwater situated in the Tailwater Trail, and the associated canal systems for both bodies of water (Figure 3).
3. Multiple Functions of Lakes and Canal Systems
As part of the PCR’s green space, I focus my blog on the Phillips North Lake (Figure 4) and the smaller lake (Figure 5) and/or tailwater that is located in the Tailwater Trail. These lakes and the associated canal system (Figure 6) provide multiple uses/benefits for human inhabitants and the ecology. In terms of environmental services, these man-made lakes serve as water impoundments, drainage sites, or catch basin areas.
The state of Texas’ topography is generally ‘flatland’ with many low-lying areas, so floods may occur during heavy downpours. Notwithstanding the negative environmental impacts, severe floodings have undesirable socio-economic repercussions. Aside from property damages, flooding may delimit access to utilities and curtail emergency and transportation services provision.
For Frisco City, in particular, man-made lakes or water impoundments are now required for the construction of current subdivisions or housing complexes. According to riskfactor.com, there are 1,779 properties (some 4%) in Frisco that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. It was also indicated that Frisco has only a minor risk of flooding over the next 30 years. (https://riskfactor.com/city/frisco-texas/4827684_fsid/flood.).[e1]
Secondly, these freshwater bodies within PCR also serve as general outdoor recreational areas. Many residents and visitors walk, if not jog – or simply promenade – along these lakes and canal systems. Some people ‘commune with nature’ by merely sitting there idly. I was one of those solitary figures who just sat on the iron benches along the lakes while I scribbled my blog notes on my mobile phone.
Water fountains enhance the lakes’ outdoor recreation appeal and landscape beauty. These are infrastructure fixtures that are relaxing or calming to watch during the daytime (Figure 7 and Figure 8). Further, such fountains are likewise scenic to gaze at – during dark nights (Figure 9) – and during full moon.
According to riskfactor.com, there are 1,779 properties (some 4%) in Frisco that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. It was also indicated that Frisco has only a minor risk of flooding over the next 30 years. (https://riskfactor.com/city/frisco-texas/4827684_fsid/flood)
Thirdly, these freshwater bodies at PCR are associated with the game or recreational fishing. Sporadic tree covers along the banks enable the fishers to avoid direct heat from sunlight. Solitary men in particular frequently fish at various times of the day – from early dawn, daytime or late in the evening – along these lakes (Figure 10) – and canal areas (Figure 11). Notable catches include various species of bass, catfish and carp.
Regarding the fourth beneficial function, these lakes and canals serve as suitable wildlife habitats. Several species of water birds are frequently observed feeding, wading, or simply resting in the tranquil lakes or vicinities of the canal system. Among them are various species of herons (Figure 12 and Figure 13).
Under Class Aves (Birds) and belonging to Family Ardeidae, these are also referred to in the bird literature as egrets or bitterns. (For this blog’s simplicity, I no longer dwell on the taxonomic descriptions and/or physical characteristics of these water birds). Generally, though, the herons are recognized morphologically for being long-legged and long-necked. They inhabit both coastal marine ecosystems and freshwater habitats.
Several species of ducks likewise abound in the tailwater area (Figure 14). These ducks are spectacular to watch while flying over the air in a V-shaped formation. (My first job in 1981 was identifying Philippine birds in the wild; since I am now a senior, I need a high-powered binocular and a taxonomic key to be able to correctly identify even the genera of these water birds!)
Reptiles, such as freshwater turtles, are also present in these waterways. The only caution is the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) that may also co-inhabit these extensive lake and canal systems. Texas (that includes Frisco City) forms part of this reptile’s home range. Under the Texas Endangered Species Act in 1973, the American Alligator is classified as endangered and, therefore, a federally-protected species. Alligators generally don’t attack humans, but occasional human fatalities have been documented. (I only saw first-hand two alligators while at Houston: at the Space Center Houston’s nearby creek and at a murky canal near M.E. Ambrose Park).
4. Modern Housing Communities and Landscape Ecology
In many centers of human civilizations, water has often served as the primary ‘integrating medium’. In modern urban housing communities and/or human settlements, these freshwater bodies provide various socio-economic functions and likewise varied environmental services. Hence, man-made lakes and water impoundments – as well as the associated systems of rivers, canals and creeks – are becoming common features in the planned housing communities.
The Phillips Creek Ranch – as a modern urban subdivision or housing community in the USA – is a good illustrative example. Its lakes and systems of canals provide various services such as drainage or catch basin during floods, fishing areas, recreational areas and wildlife habitats. Moreover, such freshwater bodies augment the scenic beauty and enhance the overall landscape ecology of the human settlement. In the tailwater area, the impounded freshwater has enhanced the housing foreground scenery that would otherwise be bland without it (Figure 15). Water has become an integrating medium that also caters to the interests of wildlife (see wading water birds) and outdoor recreation enthusiasts (see a promenading couple in the tailwater bank).
In the evening, Phillips North Lake provides an idyllic backdraft to the urban human settlement (Figure 16). As a writer, this mesmerizing scenery triggers my senses for creative writing and self-introspection. In a way, the design, construction and maintenance of the modern housing communities in the urban setting is being more closely linked with the science and practice of landscape ecology.
Acknowledgment: I sincerely thank Glenn Villaseñor, the very hospitable Filipino-American who works as an IT Professional at the City of Frisco in Texas, for the friendly chats and for reviewing my draft. I also acknowledge my university co-worker, Dr. John Patrick Regoniel, as another reviewer. I declare that all this blog’s errors and/or inconsistencies are entirely mine.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael D Pido
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Amazing and interesting from the perspective of urban planning and planetary health!
Hi Doc Lota – Thanks for finding it interesting and sharing your perspective.
Ancient civilizations were started beside rivers or bodies of water. Babylon beside the Euphrates, London, Manila, and many others. Some modern cities were however planned without a body of water, but nevethless, these were in the background. During storms causing torrential rains, these waterways become the problem. More emphasis on the role of water flow and bodies of water is required.
Great to hear from you CM Homer. I concur with you the water is a very important factor in human civilization and settlements. Judicious water resources management is indeed a great challenge for the Philippines’ sustainable development.