San Antonio's River Walk Behind the scenes tour or did you know? Robert B. Kauffman, Ph.D 7 Hill Top Drive Frostburg, MD 21532 o: (301) 687-4474 e: rkauffman@frostburg.edu All historical slides are from Zunker, Vernon, 1994, A Dream Come True Robert Hugman and San Antonio's River Walk. San Antonio; GraphicShop. Most of the other slides were taken by the author in 2005 and 2013. 1 Some did you know factoids Presa River bridge from street. Shows how you could easily miss the River Walk if you didn t know that it was there. 3.5 miles supervised by Parks and Recreation Department Over a billion dollars a year infused into the economy Over a million people visit it each year Serves as the prototype for other river parks. There is a lot of engineering and history behind the River Walk. The walk appeals primarily to tourists today; the Rivercenter Mall appeals to local community If you are at street level, you could easily walk by the River Walk since it is primarily below grade Back in the 1920s they considered filling it in. 2 1
The boat ride concession is a 3.5 million dollar contract for Parks and Recreation Dept. 3 It costs the Recreation and Parks Department $350,000 to remove trash and litter. They indicated that in 2006, they would subcontract this function out to save money. 4 2
Robert H.H. Hugman The Riverwalk was his brainchild his dream. Robert Harvey Harold Hugman was born February 8, 1902 and died at the age of 78 on July 22, 1900. Although most of the river walk project was built in the 1930s, it didn t become popular until the 1960s. There were reasons why (e.g. tourism, highway system, security). Without his vision and perseverance, the River Walk would probably not have occurred. Robert H.H. Hugman. 5 You may have pass his office without knowing it In the early 1940s, Hugman opened the first commercial office on the River Walk in the lower level of the Clifford Building at Commerce Street. 6 Look for the building on you walk along the River Walk. 3
Did you know it was a WPA project? 1921 Flood 1927 Robert H.H. Hugman returns to San Antonio from New Orleans enamored with its old world charm 1929, June Hugman formally presents river walk plan 1938, October 25 a special referendum passed that assessed 1.5 cents per 100 dollars assessed valuation for river walk 1938, December 16 Hugman hired as architect 1940, March 19 Hugman dismissed as architect and J. Fred Buenz assumed the role (financial dispute) 1941 WPA project came to an end 1941 1956 the River Walk fell into disuse, became unsafe, and was declared off limits to military personnel 1968 HemisFair Worlds Fair occurred in San Antonio saw a rejuvenation of the River Walk and interest in it by the local community; completion of extension to Convention Center 1988 Completion of Rivercenter Mall 1997 Completion of San Pedro Creek tunnel and San Antonio River tunnel in 1997; a 24 foot diameter flood control pipe 150 feet below the city; approximately 16,082 feet in length. 7 Construction and low flows of15 cfs? Note channelization, low flow (15 cfs) and gentle 'C' Curve. (photo by Robert Turk) Construction at Commerce Street Bridge shows isolation of River Walk from street 8 level. (photo by Robert Turk) 4
Construction and low flows of15 cfs? Underneath the Presa Street bridge shortly after building Hugman s signature floating walkway. The future Hyatt is on the left. 9 The Courtyard: 10 5
They followed Hugman s designs and blueprints closely. Some examples follow. 11 12 (advances automatically) 6
Hugman s signature walkway underneath Presa Street bridge Attention to Detail: Hugman designed this unique walkway 13 (advances automatically) Fountain underneath Crockett Street bridge 14 (advances automatically) 7
Fountain underneath Crockett Street bridge Hugman s Design 15 They even dug a 24 tunnel 16 8
Flood Control System: Phase 1: Natural river flow where entire river flows past the downtown Flood of 1921 devastated area (click for Phase 2) Phase 2: Construction of River Bypass Created river bypass where they could close the flood gates and divert the flow past the oxbow Phase 3: [see next slide] Phase 1: Natural Flow City of San Antonio 35 feet elevation change Phase 2: River Bypass City of San Antonio River Walk River Walk Flood Gates Dam 17 Flood Control System: Phase 3: Construction of 24' underground tunnel under San Antonio. Tunnel can handle half the cfs flow of worst case flood Works in conjunction with bypass and river gates (click for Phase 4) Phase 4: Recirculating River Course Maintains a 50 cfs flow during summer versus 15 cfs normal flow 22 million gallon reservoir (see next slide). Phase 3: Underground Flood Tunnel 150 feet deep 150 feet deep City of San Antonio 35 feet elevation change Phase 4: Re-circulating River Course City of San Antonio 35 feet elevation change River Walk Flood Gates Dam River Walk Flood Gates Dam 18 9
Phase 1: Natural Flow and 1921 Flood: If you build in the flood plain, it is axiomatic that you will eventually be flooded unless you build a 24 tunnel under the city. rbk 19 1921 Flood: A key component for the success of the River Walk was flood control management. Navarro bridge damage from 1921 flood. The River Walk lies totally beneath the bridge. For comparison just downstream of the Navarro bridge, the Presa bridge shows the damage 20 potential floods can cause. 10
1921 Flood: A key component for the success of the River Walk was flood control management. Navarro bridge damage from 1921 flood. The River Walk lies totally beneath the bridge. Arrow indicates the high water mark of the flood. For comparison just downstream of the Navarro bridge, the Presa bridge shows the damage 21 potential floods can cause. Phase #2: Bypass and Floodgates: River Bypass Floodgates 22 11
River Bypass Construction: Hugman supported the bypass -- A by-pass channel to divert storm runoff past downtown was built before the River Walk improvements project. Bypass in 2005. 23 Shows Market and Commerce Street bridges Flood Gates: Two flood gates protect the oxbow portion of the River Walk. They didn t stop here One of two flood gates. This gate raises the gate vertically. Second flood gate utilizes two swinging gates. The one gate is visible through the arch. 24 12
Gate #5 (below E Nueva St): Lift gate shows the vertical drop in the river. Control tower is on the left. The whole river 25 can be drained for maintenance. Gate #5 (below E Nueva St): 26 13
Gate #6 (South Alamo St): 27 Brooklyn Dam and Lock: This is new since 2005 as is the section above the dam and lock. 28 14
Phase 3&4: San Antonio River Tunnel: Completed in 1997 16,082 feet long 24 feet in diameter 140-150 feet underneath the city Reverse siphon tunnel with reversing pumps. Boring machine (Army Corps of Engineers photo) Inside the tunnel dug by the boring machine during its construction. (Army Corps of Engineers photo) 29 Re-circulating River: From fountains to springs, to small steams, to a full-sized streams, and yes, to the San Antonio River itself It is a re-circulating river that conceptually operates like the simple fountains except it works on a grand scale It uses the flood control tunnels to store water and to re-circulate it back up-river of San Antonio. Intakes are located next to E. Josephine Street This is the San Antonio River as it enters the River Walk with a flow of 50 cfs. Normal summer flow is a modest 15 cfs. Upstream view shows natural versus controlled improvements. 30 15
Re-circulating River: Intakes are located next to E. Josephine Street 31 Re-circulating River: Intakes are located next to E. Josephine Street 32 16
Renovated section below Grayson Street just below the intakes on Josephine Street A wedding on the River Walk 33 Renovated section below Grayson Street just below the intakes on Josephine Street 34 17
Out-take of tunnel: Out-take at Lone Star Blvd and Roosevelt Blvd. 35 Fountain and Stepping Stones: How it works Water is pumped from river where it cascades down step like rocks into the pool It passes through the stepping stones and into the river. Where it is pumped back up to the top of the fountain There are numerous fountains and even a stream that use a re-circulating pump system similar to this one along the River Walk. Stepping stones designed by Hugman [top diagram] next to La Mansion Del Rio Hotel and stepping stones today in 2005. 36 18
Stream at the Hyatt Hotel: This is a fairly extensive re-circulating stream The Alamo is in the mall area just behind this connector walkway 37 Movie: The Get Away The 1972 film Sam Peckinpah film, The Get Away, staring Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw shot one of their scenes on the River Walk. This is not the 1994 Commerce Street bridge in background. remake staring Alex Baldwin and Kim Basinger. 38 19
Movie: The Get Away The 1972 film Sam Peckinpah film, The Get Away, staring Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw shot one of their scenes on the River Walk. This is not the 1994 Footbridge over canal to Rivercenter Mall is on right remake staring Alex Baldwin and Kim Basinger. Setup: Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) was paroled from prison because of Ben Johnson (on the right) who now wants him to do a bank robbery. In the scene on this River walk, he indicates to Steve McQueen what he wants. Structurally, not much has changed from 1972 to present. 39 Movie: The Get Away In this shot, note the servicemen in the background. This is consistent the 1972 period. The River Walk was no longer off limits. In this shot, note the Consistent The landscape with hasn t the period, changed lots to of much servicemen since 1972 in the background. Hilton Hotel is on the right and the Market Street bridge and the stone arch foot bridge are in the background to the Rivercenter Mall. The camera shooting this scene is most likely positioned on the stone arch foot bridge crossing the river next to the Hilton. 40 20
Vernon Zunker s book is an excellent resource if you want to know more about the River Walk. The End Enjoy the River Walk now that you know some of the behind the scenes features that have made it happen. 41 (advances automatically) Vernon Zunker s book is an excellent resource if you want to know more about the River Walk. The End Enjoy the River Walk now that you know some of the behind the scenes features that have made it happen. 42 (advances automatically) 21