With the icy rain pelting my office windows this morning, I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about storm water management in San Antonio, Texas. Also, a good opportunity to think back on the beautiful sunny days I spent there just a week ago. For those of you who have never been there, San Antonio offers many amenities, but the one it is best known for is its storm water management system, better known as The Riverwalk.
The Riverwalk is a combination of the San Antonio River and a system of canals that are really concrete-lined storm water retention ditches. Before the system of canals was constructed, the downtown area of San Antonio was frequently victimized by intense flooding damage. Instead of simply building a system of ditches and basins, the City fathers & mothers did the proverbial lemons-into-lemonade thing and constructed a storm water management infrastructure that has turned into the biggest tourism draw in the City.
Cities must manage storm water because we are the managers of the transportation system. The more concrete and asphalt that we lay on the ground and the more buildings that we allow to be built, the more storm water that is created that must be managed. Left to its own devices, the natural accumulation and movement of unregulated storm water causes great damage to the built and natural development that we live in. We manage the accumulation and flow of storm water for not only our own benefit, but also for the benefit of the natural environment.
The Riverwalk is lined with sidewalks, hearty stone walls, and beautiful sub-tropical flora. It is connected to the streets above by many stairways. Most of the Riverwalk is handicapped accessible. The Riverwalk is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and souvenir vendors. During most of the year, it is lighted at night with Christmas-style lighting. It is especially sparkling at this time of year.
There is system of River Taxis that will ferry you throughout The Riverwalk area for $3.50/ride. They are fun and reliable.
Storm water management doesn’t have to be boring and merely good for the environment. It can be an asset. It can be an amenity. Can we do a Riverwalk in Minnesota? Maybe not. But maybe there’s something we can do with our storm water that is just as interesting. Maybe.
