San Antonio Greenways are limited by recent flooding

San Antonio—As a result of May 2015 storms that swept the area, the San Antonio Greenway trails have been cut off in various segments due to flooding. These paved trails that make up the Howard W. Peak Greenway System are routed along major creeks and streams, namely, Salado Creek, Leon Creek, Medina River, and San Antonio River. Since that the trails are routed over creek bed crossings and not bridges, the flooding makes them inaccessible.

The irony struck home in Texas. The state had endured a five-year drought (this website reported it on 11 Aug. 2011). Back then, then-Gov. Rick Perry declared three days for “Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas.” Now the rain has arrived at a tremendous cost. The storms have so far taken the lives of 17 in Texas and destroyed property in places such Wimberley, Texas, a historic trading post where Cypress Creek overflowed its banks. (Wimberley is home to the Spirit of Texas rides that are held in early October.) In spite of its negatives, there are benefits. Medina Lake is filling up again along with other lakes that have been very low due to the drought.

The weather system moved into Oklahoma and Arkansas. The Arkansas River is overflowing its banks north of Little Rock, the state capital (we have a video on the Arkansas River Trail on our YouTube page).

Recent reports found parts of the Greenway trails to be under water as:

Leon Creek:
Fox Park area
Mainland Dr. area
Bandera Road
Salado Creek—North:
Under railroad trestle at Wetmore Rd.
trail head at Lady Bird Johnson
Under West Avenue bridge near Walker Ranch, creek crossing at Walker Ranch
Salado Creek—South: I-35 frontage road area
Mission Reach: throughout (trail has been closed)

SRR NewsCam—30 May 2015

Cyclists have been observed "fording" flooded areas which can spell disaster. The force of flood water is factored by its velocity and depth. Six inches of water moving fast enough is enough to force a rider to loose control of the bicycle and get washed away. A foot can have enough punch to shove an SUV down the creek.