San Antonio River Improvements
$125 Million

Park Reach $12.5 Million

            

Museum Reach Urban Segment Project Dimensions:

Length:  1.33 miles long and approximately 3.4 miles of walkways. From the downstream side of the Lexington Avenue bridge to the downstream side of the Josephine Street bridge.

River Depth:  Approximately three feet deep at the bulkheads, the lock & dam complex to Jones Avenue bridge will be approximately 14 to 15 feet deep and approximately three feet by Jones Avenue.

Project Features: 

• Access Points   
• Lighting                
• Pedestrian Amenities      
• Pedestrian Bridges
• Public Art         
• Restrooms          
• Rest Stops / Overlooks    
• Barge Landings
• Grotto     
• Fish Lunkers      
• Lock and Dam Complex   
• Special Events / Stage

Historical Preservation:

Hugman Dam - Located upstream of Lexington Avenue,named after Riverwalk architect Robert H.H. Hugman. A third of the dam has been removed to allow barge traffic through.

Alamo Mills Dam - The Dam was originally built in the 1870's and was used to send water through a mill raceway to the Alamo Mill at Eighth Street, it was partially dismantled in the early 1900's. The dam was silted over and lost to history until found by construction crews near VFW Post 76 just downstream of Jones Avenue.

Eagleland Reach $2.8 Million

          STATUS:

• COMMITTEE WORK IN PROCESS
• DESIGN TEAM HIRED

In the Eagleland Reach, the river passes through the historic King William, neighborhood and the Blue Star Art Complex. Improvements along this reach transform the river from a narrow pilot channel at the bottom of a grass-lined ditch into a more natural system with riffles and native riparian vegetation. Pedestrian improvements add a continuous 10-12 foot wide trail on the west bank of the river, linking to the River Walk upstream and to the Mission Trails downstream. A pedestrian bridge at Eagleland Street will provide access to facilities on the east bank of the river.

Proposed restoration in the Eagleland Reach located in the King William area between Blue Star Art Space and Lone Star Blvd. (connects downtown to Mission Reach - Blue Star Area) includes:

• Enhancements to the Alamo Street bridge area including sidewalk widening
• Overlooks at Bigtex, and Blue Star
• Improved access to the river
• a pocket park at Alamo Street
• Art enhancements at the overlooks
• Bridge enhancements at Guenther Street, Alamo Street, and the Rail Road Bridge

Mission Reach $109.7 Million

          STATUS / PHASE 1:

• ONE MILE SECTION FROM LONE STAR BLVD TO SAN PEDRO CREEK
• CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY (COMPLETION SPRING 2010)

Improvements along the Mission Reach will focus on ecosystem restoration using a technique known as fluvial geomorphology. This technique will transform the straightened river to replicate the original flow of the river while maintaining flood  control, reducing erosion, re-introducing native vegetation and creating an environment more suitable for recreation and wildlife.

Proposals for portals that re-connect pedestrians along the river to each of the historic Missions and link to the proposed amateur sports complex at Mission Concepcion also include:

• New recreational amenities such as pocket parks and picnic areas
• Art enhancements at the Hot Wells Spa Garden, most bridge crossings, and at Berg's Mill
• Overlooks at Mission San Jose, Espada Dam, Bottomland Hardwood at Piedras Creek, pocket parks, and other places along the river
• A confluence theatre at the confluence of the San Pedro Creek & the San Antonio River
• Portals guiding people from the river to the Missions

River Improvement Helpful Links