Museum Reach

Museum Reach of the River Walk (Opened May 30, 2009)

The Museum Reach Urban Segment is 1.33 miles long, and includes approximately 3.4 miles of walkways. The project begins on the downstream side of the Lexington Avenue bridge and ends on the downsteam side of the Josephine Street bridge.

River Depth - The river is approximately three-feet deep at the bulkheads throughout the new segment, with the exception of the area from the lock & dam complex to the Jones Avenue bridge, which will be approximately 14 to 15 feet deep immediately upstream of the lock & dam complex and shallow out to approximately three fee once again by Jones Avenue.

River Bottom - The river bottom is made of large cobble (approximately 6" in diameter rocks) to provide a more natural environment of acquatic life.

Landscaping - This reach of the river walk features over 100 plant species, mostly native grasses, shrubs and trees, with a few select non-natives such as palm trees (a unifying feature from the original River Walk).

Soil Nailing -  Landscaping and construction crews saved several heritage trees along the segment through a process called "soil nailing."  Soil nailing involves carefully removing sections of the river bank and securing the retaining wall by "nailing" supports directly into the soil. This process makes it possible to leave large trees and their root systems intact during construction.

Ninety-eight percent of the existing tree canopy was kept throughout the construction process and exists on the segment today.

Landscapers planted a bald cypress in the turning basis which was donated to the project by Linda Hardgerger as a 39th wedding anniversary gift to past Mayor Phil Hardberger. Twenty-two other trees were donated in recognition of the members of the San Antonio River Oversight Committee.

Features:

Access - The Urban Segment features 25 river access points. Thirteen of those access pointed are ADA accessible.

Pedestrian Amenities - There are 24 benches and 18 trash cans along the Urban Segment, as well as directional signage throughout the entire segment.

Lighting  - The project contains 150 light poles, 63 illuminated bollards; 254 overlook and bridge lights; 160 wall and step lights; and 100 ground mount tree lights, totaling 727 new energy-efficient lights along the Urban Segment. The lighting requires 21 miles of conduit and 70 miles of electrical wire.

Public Art - The San Antonio River Foundation raised $11 million to date to fund public art installations along the Urban Segment. The projects features work of eight artists in twelve location along the segment.

Restrooms - The segment contains four public restrooms at the lock and dam complex.

Lock and Dam Complex - 
- The lock and dam complex consists of two lock chambers and a flood crest gate.
- The two locks work independently,  so barges can travel upstream or downstream together or separately at the same time.
- Each look holds approximately 40,000 gallons of water when filled.
- Locks can operate on as little as five ubic feed per second (cfs) of water (2,240 galls per minute). The City of San Antonio keeps the river flowing at a minimum of 15 cfsvia flood tunnel recirculation which the natural flow drops below 15 cfs.
- Locks will be manned and operator seven-days a week by SARA personnel.

Barge Landings - The Urban Segment contains 18 official barge landings, each which features fish lunkers directly below it.

Fish Lunkers  - Concrete boxes recessed into the river bulkheads which provide shelter for aquatic life from sun and strong currents.

Safe Harbor Facility  - A "safe harbor" facility is located between Camden Street and I-35 at river level. The facility consists of  a Park Police office; three boat slips and Park Police boats and emergency barge docking; and a boat ramp for emergency barge removal.