What role does surveying play in the San Antonio River Authority’s projects?
Surveying plays a foundational role in River Authority projects, and currently the biggest example of that is the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project.The project involves all four Westside creeks, and as a surveying team we helped establish the right-of-way, or the boundary between public land and private property. Many of the maps remained unreviewed since the 1960s and 1970s, when the original projects were done. In the meantime, homeowners, companies, and other users slowly migrated toward the creeks because it’s open space—encroaching on River Authority, City, County, and private-owned land.
Our team put in almost 18 months of boundary work covering 7 miles and 1500 individual parcels. This work establishing property boundary lines is at the core of what we do; we act like historians, tracking deeds back to the early 1900s, especially after major floods that led to channelization and dam construction. We work hand-in-glove with the Real Estate and Watershed and Park Operations teams at the River Authority, especially as development pushes up against dams and easements. We want to make sure that everyone knows where their property begins and ends so that we can prevent creeping fences and upset homeowners. Rivers move, and if you buy on the inside bend of a river, you might lose land over time as that river changes course; nature always has the last say!
What role will your team play in the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan?
In the River Authority’s Strategic Plan, land acquisition and parks have become priorities. When we acquire a property that we plan to develop, like Helton Nature Park, we do the original boundary, lay out trails, roads, and operations centers. We establish the boundaries by placing physical monuments—iron rebar with a blue cap that says “SARA.” Every corner gets one, and if a property bends 27 times along the river, technically there are 27 corners. We do this so that years later we can go back and say, “There’s a monument behind that tree stump.” I can’t always remember my kids’ names on a busy day (just kidding!), but I remember where we set a corner 15 years ago.
Can you tell us about a recent accomplishment?
I finally became a Registered Public Land Surveyor (RPLS). It’s a pretty big accomplishment, and over the years they’ve changed the criteria—more coursework, increased hour requirements, and now two exams instead of one—so it’s definitely a feather in my cap. With my certification, the River Authority now has two registered land surveyors, allowing us to work more efficiently.
Why do you enjoy working for the River Authority?
I worked in the private sector for years. The money was good, but the hours were long and, as a single dad with two young kids, it wasn’t sustainable. Surveying offers many paths: land development, construction, residential title surveys—coming to the River Authority offered me a more stable schedule plus an opportunity to work on a wider variety of projects. My first day on the job was doing the as-built survey of our Salitrillo Wastewater Treatment Plant. I spent three days walking across the top of the plant and realized the mist I was feeling wasn’t from the air; that was an eye-opener! But the people here are great. It’s a small-knit group, and it’s growing even more, which is a testament to the important work that we do.
I also have a degree in environmental science and an interest in natural stream restoration. I enjoy being part of projects that restore rivers and build parks. These are places I can take my kids and say, “I helped build this.” The work is public and lasting, and being part of something bigger—projects that serve generations—that’s meaningful.
Today’s blog was contributed by Matthew McKeel, Registered Public Land Surveyor for the San Antonio River Authority. Matthew has 55 years of life experience, with over 20 years throughout the survey field and 16 with the River Authority. What started as being “voluntold” to deploy field hospitals in the Army has slowly blossomed into an unexpected career path combining his experience in engineering, construction, management, microbiology, and environmental science. Matthew’s career path is a testament to the fact that obstacles can become steppingstones, and that knowledge gathered from the skewed paths we choose in life ends up cutting the line for which we are best suited.
The “My River POV” series provides readers the opportunity to learn about the unique insights and experiences of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff and their connection to the San Antonio River in hopes of inspiring stewardship of area creeks and rivers.
