This summer, Rio Vista Park will host a record number of swimmers, tubers and kayakers. To ensure that these visitors experience the pristine and relaxing San Marcos River they have come to expect, the section of the park at Rio Vista Falls has been drained to allow for extensive renovations.

Since the Falls were last repaired in 2006, San Marcos has flooded three times. And the constant strong current, which has made the park such a popular recreation destination, has worn down the infrastructure around the riverbed.

Construction foreman quote

The construction crew has reinforced the riverbank by replacing failing concrete sidewalls and filling hollow channels and voids created by erosion. They have also deepened the foundation and added another layer of rock protection to help shore up the river bottom.

The Rio Vista Falls Maintenance Project is jointly funded by the City of San Marcos and Texas State University. Rio Vista is less than a 5-minute walk from downtown and across the street from the University.

The Park is a source of rich history dating back to the Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche tribes as well as missions pre-dating those in San Antonio. The San Marcos River is also a fabulous living laboratory for Texas State students.

Chamber of Commerce quote about cooperation between city and university

Biologists from Texas State have relocated native aquatic fauna such as the fountain darter. Measures have been taken to protect other wildlife as well. Texas State Botanists moved any Texas Wild Rice to another part of the river, to be returned when the project is complete.

Further efforts to minimize environmental impact include the installation of silt curtains to filter out sediments stirred up by the maintenance work. Non-hydraulic fluid has been used in the construction machinery, and guidelines have been established to prevent contamination with oil and gas.

The Rio Vista Falls Maintenance project will buttress the park for recreational traffic, thereby providing customers for local businesses and adventures for generations of Texas State students.

But beyond these benefits, this project represents an ongoing commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the San Marcos River, to be enjoyed by visitors on weekends and holidays, but treasured by local residents year around.

Local resident talks about enjoying the San Marcos River

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