Mission Reach
To Reclaim a Crooked River
In the historic Mission Reach, the river flows past four beautiful Spanish missions, numerous parks, the Hot Wells Hotel ruins, a military base, and various residential and agricultural areas.
Nicole Frugé, San Antonio Express-News
In the 1960s, in an effort to control devastating flooding, the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers used the technology of the times to create a new channel, changing the meandering course of the river and affecting its natural beauty. As part of the San Antonio River Improvements Project begun in 1998, the Corps has now created a modern eco-system restoration plan to transform its previous work into eight miles of native trees, natural habitat, and environmentally sensitive recreational opportunities.
The eight-mile-long Mission Reach is divided into four segments for construction:
- Lone Star Boulevard to Mission Road
- Mission Road to SE Military Drive
- SE Military Drive to I-410
- I-10 to Mission Espada
Mission Reach Facts
Design: Carter Burgess Engineering & Architecture
Construction: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Project Management: San Antonio River Authority
Scheduled completion: 2012
Budget: $134 million
Public funding portion (construction only): $114 million
Private funding to be raised by The River Foundation for cultural, recreational and educational enhancements: $20 million
San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP) Construction Facts
- Project engineers and designers will return the unnaturally straightened river to its original course.
- Flood control will be improved and erosion will be reduced.
- A restored eco-system will include the establishment of 24,000 native trees, 56 acres of native grasses, 113 acres of aquatic habitat, 320 acres of riparian habitat, and the restoration of two river remnants.
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Providing scenic areas, jogging and walking trails, and entertainment venues are responsibilities we all can embrace along the river that truly made San Antonio.
