They’ve found cell phones, laptops, some lawn chairs over the years, as well some unwanted visitors in 2024, More than 2,000 invasive giant apple snails.
SAN ANTONIO — Parts of the San Antonio River Walk are looking unusually dry this week as the city carries out its biennial cleanup and maintenance effort.
City crews drained the River Walk overnight from West Josephine Street to South Alamo Street. The water is expected to remain low until next Monday. The river loop and extension near the Henry B. González Convention Center are also being drained as part of the project.
Officials say the cleanup helps keep one of the city’s most popular attractions safe and welcoming for both locals and tourists.
Crews will remove debris and sediment that have built up over time. In previous years, workers have pulled out common items like cell phones, laptops and lawn chairs.
In 2024, crews also discovered more than 2,000 invasive giant apple snails, which had to be removed. The snails were first spotted in the River Walk in 2019 and are believed to have been introduced through aquarium dumping.
City officials say the snails can carry rat lungworm parasites, which can infect humans, and they’ll be monitoring this year’s cleanup to see if the population has returned.
While water levels are down, crews will also make repairs and complete quality inspections along the river.
The project is a partnership between the city’s Development Services and Public Works departments and the San Antonio River Authority.
River boat tours will be suspended until the water is restored and flowing again next Monday.