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Reduce Flood Risk

The River Authority uses comprehensive planning, precision protection, strategic partnership, and community preparedness to help communities throughout the San Antonio River Basin reduce the devastating effects of flooding.

Stay up-to-date with BexarFlood.org

Draft Floodplain FAQs

The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) has interlocal agreements with Bexar County, City of San Antonio, and 19 suburban cities within Bexar County to maintain the floodplain maps for their jurisdictions. The River Authority is also a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Through this partnership, FEMA recognizes the River Authority’s floodplain mapping role, performed on behalf of the local communities.

Day-to-day, the floodplain maps are maintained through Letters of Map Revision. Letters of Map Revision are small-scale floodplain map updates and usually cover small areas like lots or individual neighborhoods. These revisions typically reflect changes to the floodplain that result from construction activity. Less frequently, widespread updates covering an entire county are needed to keep the floodplain mapping data current.

There is new rainfall, land use, and topography data that affects all of Bexar County. The last study of the floodplains in Bexar County used terrain and land use data from around 2004 and rainfall estimates based on data from the 1960’s. This was the best available data at that time. Since that time enough information and data is available to warrant an update of the floodplain maps. Updated information includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) estimates of how much rain will fall in large storms, the Texas Natural Resources Information System’s (TNRIS) ground surface elevation data, and the River Authority’s land use data. These inputs for the new floodplain mapping study were developed and collected from 2017 to 2019. The engineering studies to develop the draft floodplains have been underway since 2019.

We estimate the new floodplain maps will become effective in 18-24 months. The River Authority provides draft floodplains to FEMA, and FEMA continues the process of formalizing the floodplain map panels. FEMA will issue Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) and then provide the public a 90-day appeals and comment period. Effective FIRMS will be published after responses are reviewed and incorporated. The River Authority is starting the public engagement process early to provide the community with ample time to review and provide comments on the maps.

The engineering data is being made available immediately on the River Authority’s Digital Data and Modeling Repository (D2MR) website for use as “Best Available Data.” D2MR website is a well-known and used tool within the development engineering community.

Bexar County and all the cities in Bexar County have special regulations for activities inside the floodplain intended to reduce flood risk to life and property. Residents and business owners will need to coordinate with their jurisdiction’s floodplain administrator to obtain a permit for construction or building improvements.

If a property owner has a federally backed mortgage on a property in the floodplain, they will be required to purchase flood insurance. Based on data from the National Flood Insurance Program from August 31, 2022, the average annual cost for flood insurance premium and associated fees in Bexar County is $783.45. The average coverage including building and contents is $285,505. For more information about flood insurance, property owners can speak with their home insurance provider, keeping in mind that flood insurance is separate from home insurance.

When the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study Report are published, there will be a 90-day appeal period. During this period, any owner or lessee of real property may file an appeal with their municipality’s floodplain administrator. 

Find your local floodplain administrator.

Read More about the Appeals Process.

 

Learn More About Flood Risk

We live in a region known as Flash Flood Alley. It stretches from Del Rio in southwest Texas, east to San Antonio and follows the IH-35 corridor north through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Heavy rainfall and drainage off this landscape, also known as the Balcones Escarpment, combine to make this part of Texas one of the most flood-prone regions in North America.

Flash Flood Alley

In the San Antonio River Basin of South Texas, steep terrain, shallow soils, and narrow river channels send runoff quickly downhill. The result is deep, fast, and erosive flood waters. These destructive forces have the potential to penetrate communities downstream, threatening lives and property throughout the basin.

The San Antonio River Authority is meeting the challenge head-on with a multi-level approach to flood risk management.

Hover or touch the map below to view the counties in Texas that are part of “Flash Flood Alley.”

1790
Historic image of flood waters

The de la Garza House constructed near San Pedro Creek. The structure is believed to have been one of the oldest residences left standing in the city and is listed on the NRHP.

1845
historic image of stream

San Antonio River and area creeks flood. Following the flood, the first proposal was made to build a dam near the headwaters of the San Antonio River at the end of Olmos Creek.

1851
Historic image of flood waters

City Council takes official action to reserve a clearly defined area for San Pedro Springs Park. The San Antonio Daily Ledger reported: A public square embracing an extent of fifty acres, has been set apart, above our town. From the heart of this square, leap forth, from God’s alembic, the clear waters of San Pedro.

1899
Historic image of firefighters saving children during flood

The San Antonio River and area creeks flood. 

October 1, 1913
Historic image of flood waters

A record rainfall of over 7 inches in 24-hours caused major flooding along the San Antonio River, San Pedro Creek and Alazán creeks. Four lives were lost and significant damage occurred in downtown San Antonio estimated at $250,000 (almost $6.2 million in 2017 dollars).

September 9, 1921
Historic Image of Flood Waters

San Antonio historic flood kills 51 people and causes $3.7 million dollars in damages (over $52.1 million in 2017 dollars). The 7.38 inches officially recorded in San Antonio combined with amounts twice as heavy from higher ground to the north, sent a massive surge of water down the San Antonio River. All but four of the deaths occurred along the San Pedro and Alazán creeks.

1926
Historic Image of Dam Construction

June 28, 1929: Young architect, Robert H. H. Hugman, presents his plan for “The Shops of Romula and Aragon” to Mayor Chambers, two City Commissioners, property owners and civic leaders. The proposal endorses the bypass channel and recommends floodgates at the north end, a small dam at the south end and a tainter gate in the channel to check the flow and create pools of water. The Depression prevents any construction other than the bypass channel that was begun in 1926 and completed in 1930.

1935
Olmas Dam 1935

Following a storm, the Olmos Dam proved its worth by holding back 20 feet of water.

1946
Historic photo of police officer atop flooded car

The San Antonio River and area creeks flood resulting in the loss of four lives. 

1954
River Channel Improvement Project Kick Off

As a result of the flood of 1946, the U.S. Congress authorized the San Antonio River Channel Improvements Project (SACIP) allowing Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) to enter into a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve flood control along 31 miles of the San Antonio River and its tributaries. This involved realignment and channelization of the river system to move flood waters quickly away from urbanized areas. Construction began on the SACIP in 1958.

1959
Dams in 1959

Nine dams along Calaveras Creek (Bexar County) and eleven along Escondido Creek (Karnes County) were completed and plans were underway for additional dams along Martinez Creek and Salado Creek (both in Bexar County).

1997
San Antonio River Tunnel Construction

Completion of the San Antonio River Flood Tunnel designed to work with the Olmos Dam to protect downtown San Antonio from damage.  The project includes an inlet facility located at Josephine Street and the San Antonio River, a 24-foot diameter, 3-mile long tunnel and an outlet site at Lone Star Boulevard.  Ten months after completion of the tunnel, on October 17-18, 1998, south central Texas experienced record-breaking rainfall, and both the San Pedro Creek and the San Antonio River tunnels performed as designed, sparing downtown San Antonio from a devastating flood. In 1999, the tunnel project won the State of Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers; it also received a national-level Award of Merit. A year later, it was one of four projects to receive the Federal Design Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), as well as an achievement award from the American Society of Civil Engineers in recognition of the San Antonio River Tunnel Inlet Site.

1998
Flood waters on city streets

San Antonio suffers 100-year flood disaster.

July 2002
Flood waters engulfing highway

Devastating floods hit the San Antonio River and area creeks.

Working together with other government organizations is a crucial component of effective flood risk management. The River Authority promotes partnerships to both regional governments and officials, and state and federal agencies. By harnessing shared information, knowledge, and other resources, communities can plan more effectively and efficiently.

Flood planning, protection, and prevention can be costly. Much of what the River Authority has been able to accomplish would not be possible without the support, resources, and cooperation of local governments, state and federal agencies, floodplain administrators, and stakeholders. Their expertise helps our team better identify flood risk not only in the San Antonio River watershed, but throughout the region. The River Authority utilizes these relationships and resources at every level to efficiently implement effective flood risk management. Look below to see the River Authority’s partners in managing flood risk throughout the San Antonio River Basin.

Federal

Cooperation Technical Partners
US Army Corps of Engineers
National Flood Insurance Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service

State

Texas Water Development Board
TCEQ Logo
Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board

Local

BRWM-logo
Karnes County Texas Seal
Wilson County Texas Seal
Goliad County Texas Seal

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.

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