San-Antonio-River-Authority-Logo

Collaborations

Regional Partnerships

Bexar Regional Watershed Management Program

The Bexar Regional Watershed Management (BRWM) program is an inter-local agency partnership between Bexar County, the city of San Antonio, the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) and 20 suburban cities. This program started in 2003 to more efficiently manage regional stormwater issues within the limits of Bexar County. Communication and trust between staffs, delegation of defined agency roles and adequate program funding have been the key elements to the BRWM’s success. County-wide Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM) have been created, watershed master-planning efforts are underway and focus groups in areas of project development, policy, water quality, operations and maintenance (O&M) and geographic information system (GIS) databases are functioning and creating a common goal among the regional partners. The BRWM is an ideal structure to introduce a Natural Channel Design (NCD) program into the area of Bexar County and eventually the entire San Antonio River Watershed.

                     

Regional Parks Coordinating Council

The Regional Parks Coordination Council (RPCC) of the San Antonio River Authority was established in 2008 by the River Authority Board of Directors. It serves as a comprehensive public participation group that reviews and provides input to the San Antonio River Basin Plan for Nature Based Park Resources. The River Authority aims for the group to be a community regional assistance program to foster the development of community cohesion and coordination in improving public parks, outdoor recreation opportunities that promote wellness, natural and cultural resource conservation, and ecotourism.

                     

Environmental Advisory Committee

The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) was established to serve as a comprehensive public participation group that reviews and provides input on environmental studies and programs at the San Antonio River Authority. In addition to developing an educated constituent base, the committee will advise the River Authority’s departments about environmental issues within the basin.

                     

Urban Waters Program

The San Antonio River Authority is developing an inventory of stream sites in the San Antonio River Watershed throughout the River Authority’s district (Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties) that are eroding or have poor aquatic and riparian function. This assessment is being developed primarily based on aerial photography with field verification when appropriate.

Public input is a vital component to making stream restoration a success. The public has intimate knowledge of sites “next door” and in its backyard. Information provided by the public regarding stream sites for potential restoration, enhancement or even preservation is always welcome. Sites that the public identifies will be included in a watershed database. Citizens and organizations are encouraged to add specific site information to this database using the stream-team-assessment-form The River Authority is interested in a variety of sites, from rural to urban, small dry creeks to large flowing rivers, public or private property and highly modified channels to streams in their native condition. However, the public should be aware that the submittal of an Assessment Form is for data purposes only, and it does not indicate that the site will be visited by River Authority personnel.

Information provided by the public regarding stream sites for potential restoration, enhancement or even preservation is always welcome.

Impacted Streams 

Impacted creeks and streams have one or more of the following characteristics: unstable banks, sediment buildup, headcutting, incision, soil erosion, poor water quality, lack of riparian vegetation or abundance of invasive vegetation. Stream instability that is endangering a structure, roadway or utility is of special importance.

Preserved Streams

The San Antonio River Authority is also interested in data that can be obtained from creeks and streams that are in good, stable condition to use as reference areas for impacted streams in the region. Some of these sites will be used to develop important empirical design and monitoring data for impacted streams in the region.

                     

Soil and Water Conservation District Partnership

In 2014, the San Antonio River Authority Board of Directors approved adding $100,000 to their budget to be used in support of conservation practices implemented in the Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad community. The River Authority has teamed up with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties through an interlocal agreement and an associated annual work plan to apply community assistance funds for conservation activities. We are working with the with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and each local Soil and Water Conservation District to identify landowners-contractors who have installed conservation practices accepted by a primary cost share agency (NRCS, SWCD).

Eligible conservation practices will be calculated at 10% of the primary cost share agency reimbursement to landowner. Applicants must submit a one-page application (see application in list on the left) to their local Soil & Water Conservation District.

The Goliad County Soil and Water Conservation District is doing an Individual Plant Treatment (IPT) project different from the 10% cost share project. Goliad County SWCD typically releases an ad in the newspaper when they are starting a new round of IPT. Landowners must sign up through them directly using their application form.

Alerts

Trail Closure Notice: San Pedro Creek Culture Park

The west bank of the San Pedro Creek trail will be closed from the access point at Commerce St south to Dolorosa until further notice due to maintenance work. Alternate route w/ ADA access is on the east bank trail that can be accessed either from the Commerce or Dolorosa crossing.

SASPAMCO Paddling Trail

The SASPAMCO paddling trail is now open from River Crossing Park to Helton Nature Park. *Please Note: Paddling Trail from Helton Nature Park to HWY 97 is still closed due to blockages.*  

Stem Density Efforts

Stem Density efforts are still in place but will not directly affect any parks or trails. We apologize for any inconvenience.

San Pedro Creek Culture Park – STREAM

Due to maintenance, the water features for STREAM art piece will be turned off until further notice. The STREAM Microphone area is also closed due to vandalism. We apologize for the inconvenience.

River Reach Newsletter and Blog Signup

River Reach is offered as a printed, physical mailing to your residence or business. The Blog is a weekly electronic email with news and updates in order to be more environmentally conscious. Please fill out the form below and indicate your preferred method of delivery.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing materials from: San Antonio River Authority, 100 East Guenther St., San Antonio, TX, 78204, US. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.