concept design san antonio river improvements project

GUIDING DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Based upon SAROC’s Guiding Principle and the
Planning Document, Guiding Design Principles have
been developed to guide the planning and design
direction. These include three major components in
support of SAROC’s goals:
Existing North Channel
“Hydrology”
1. Design solutions will utilize the natural principles
of fluvial geomorphology whenever possible,
especially associated with the pilot channel.
2. Design solutions will not increase flooding
potential and all design solutions will attempt to
reduce flooding potential.
3. Design solutions will not increase river
maintenance and will attempt to reduce
maintenance requirements.
4. No design solution will reduce water quality, and all
solutions will attempt to enhance water quality.
5. Adequate base flow will be maintained along with
the impounding of water.
6. Recycled water will take precedence over the
pumping of aquifer water.
7. Public land acquisition will occur, as possible, to
provide greater flood control and river flood
carrying capacity.
“Nature”
1. River channel solutions with a more natural
appearance will take precedence over
“architectural” solutions wherever possible and will
have sinuous edges to minimize the artificial
channel appearance.
2. Design solutions will utilize a variety of low flow
conditions such as riffles/pools to increase habitat
diversity and maximize fish and wildlife habitat
value.
3. Fish and wildlife habitats are desired and will be
balanced with other needs of the river.
4. Planting solutions will emphasize native and/or
naturalized species and will reduce long-term
mowing requirements to the extent possible.
5. Tree plantings will be maximized, as possible and
coordinated with the appropriate river hydraulic
capacity, to provide a variety of scales of spaces
and ecotones, from dense coppices to open areas.
New habitat is a priority
“People”
1. Museum (Northern) Reach and Historical Mission
(Southern) Reach improvements will receive
balanced attention.
2. Design solutions will be responsive to the specific
context and will never be “typical”, providing a
variety of experiences for different uses.
3. Design solutions will enhance the appreciation of
the river’s historic significance in the life and
development of San Antonio.
4. Pathways will be continuous along the river, along
both sides as appropriate, and will interface with
other systems as possible, such as Mission Trails.
5. Safe nighttime use of the river will be
accommodated but will not compromise the
integrity of adjacent neighborhoods.
The improved river will provide recreational uses for people
6. Future land uses along the river will reinforce a
sense of community and respect the human scale,
provide variety and focus intense use in nodes, and
encourage the economic viability of the area.
7. Passive recreational uses (i.e. picnicking) will take
precedence over active recreational uses (i.e.
frisbee). Active recreational uses will occur only
where they are compatible with the context.
8. Design solutions will not increase current trash
accumulation, graffiti, and other maintenance
problems and will attempt to reduce long-term
landscape maintenance requirements.
Wherever possible, the river right-of-way should be
expanded as much as possible to increase flood water
capacity, enable tree planting, and provide a more
useable environment for people.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER DESIGN GUIDELINES 17