THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT • The San Antonio River Oversight Committee, a

22-member citizen committee, was appointed in 1998 to guide the planning and implementation of the San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP).

• SARIP is a $384.1 million investment by Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the San Antonio River Authority and the San Antonio River Foundation in flood control, amenities, ecosystem restoration and recreational improvements to the San Antonio River.

• The project’s northern section – the Museum Reach – extends approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) north of downtown; the downtown section is approximately 3.2 miles (5.1 km), including the original San Antonio River Walk, which is near Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo); and the Eagleland segment of the project is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) and is the transitional segment between the more urban downtown River Walk and the Mission Reach.

• The project’s southern section – the Mission Reach – extends approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) south of downtown and connects the river to four of San Antonio’s historic missions – Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

• The $271.8 million Mission Reach project is funded by Bexar County ($196.3 million), the City of San Antonio ($6.9 million); USACE ($57.9

million) and through private donations collected by the San Antonio River Foundation ($4.7 million). Funding for utility relocations by the San Antonio Water System totals $6 million.

• Construction on the Mission Reach began in June 2008 and was completed in October 2013. The fluvial geomorphology techniques used along the Mission Reach has restored a formerly channelized and straightened portion of the river to replicate its original flow while maintaining flood control, reducing erosion, re-introducing native vegetation and creating an environment more suitable for recreation and wildlife.

• The restoration included 13 acres (5.3 ha) of wetlands; 113 acres (45.7 ha) of aquatic habitat with restored riffles, runs and pools sequences; and 334 acres (135.2 ha) of riparian habitat planted with over 10,000 pounds of native

grass and wildflower seeds of over 60 different species. It is anticipated that more than 23,000 native trees and shrubs, of over 40 different native species, will be reestablished over time. Additionally, two historic river remnants were restored at Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

• Recreational features include over 16 miles (25.7 km) of hike and bike trails, 8 miles (12.9 km) of paddling trail, 6 foot bridges, shade structures, picnic tables, overlooks and river-edge landings.

• Mission Portals connect San Antonio’s four historic missions – Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada – to the San Antonio River. These connections feature historic and artistic interpretations of the story of the missions and highlight their social and cultural importance to the area. Project planners worked closely with the

National Park Service’s San Antonio Missions National Historic Park to ensure that there is a seamless transition between the Mission Reach and the historic missions. This reinforces the importance of the river to the missions and encourages visitors to circulate between the missions and the river.

• The San Antonio River is an important connecting element between the historic missions of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Additionally, the buffer zone regulations ensure that this special role is retained which will allow the river along the Mission Reach to also serve as an important natural buffer that will protect the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park from future development.

• The San Antonio River Authority served as the project manager for the San Antonio River Improvements Project and currently is responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of the Museum Reach and Mission Reach of the project.

For more information, please visit the San Antonio River Authority at www.sara-tx.org.