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San Antonio River Authority

About Us

kayak on river

Strategic Plan 2025-2030

General Facts Sheet 2025-2026

Enabling Statute

SARA sign Clint (3)

About The Authority

San Antonio River Authority

In 1917, the voters of Texas, recognizing the necessity of developing and conserving the State’s water resources and inspired by devastating floods of 1913 and 1914, passed a Constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to create special purpose political subdivisions of the State to serve regional areas, generally coincidental with river basins and to be generally known as river authorities.

San Antonio River Authority, created in 1937, is one of many such active river authorities in the State of Texas. Its jurisdiction covers 3,658 square miles—all of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes and Goliad Counties.

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Vision

Inspiring Actions for Healthy Creeks and Rivers.

Mission

Committed to Safe, Clean, Enjoyable Creeks and Rivers.

Our Leadership

Governance

A 12-member Board of Directors governs the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority). Six directors are elected from Bexar County and two are elected from each of the three other counties with each elected member serving four years. Policies established by the Board are executed by the management organization under the direction of a General Manager appointed by the Board.

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Taxing Authority

The San Antonio River Authority has the statutory authority to impose an ad valorem tax for use in planning, operations and maintenance activities only. Its tax is statutorily limited to two cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. The adopted ad valorem tax rate is $0.0183 (1.83 cents) per $100 assessed property valuation. The average annual tax is $57.97. The adopted FY 2025-2026 budget is $411 million.

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Our Culture

The River Authority's Core Values

Accountability

  • We care for our creeks and rivers as a valued natural and community resource.
  • We exercise care in managing the public funds and resources entrusted to us.
  • We care for our employees.

Excellence

  • We are committed to innovative, collaborative, adaptive and strategic actions that result in watershed solutions.
  • We provide responsive service, leverage our experience and strive to advance our knowledge, skills and capabilities.

Open & Direct Communication

  • We are committed to innovative, collaborative, adaptive and strategic actions that result in watershed solutions.
  • We provide responsive service, leverage our experience and strive to advance our knowledge, skills and capabilities.

Team Work & Collaboration

  • We are honest, ethical and reliable.
  • We are accountable to and value the trust and confidence of the citizens and communities we serve and each other.

Agency Goals

  • Acquire strategic assets that increase the ability to preserve and enhance creeks and rivers throughout the basin.
  • Grow portfolio of engagement opportunities to ensure a diversity of accessible experiences.
  • Leverage core services throughout the basin to further preserve and enhance creeks and rivers.

Key Enabling Activities

  • Talent Development and Empowerment
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
  • Innovation and Adaptability

Alerts

SASPAMCO Paddling Trail Temporarily Closed

June 30, 2025
Staff have removed two large log jams just downstream of Helton Nature Park, keeping the southern portion of the SASPAMCO Paddling Trail temporarily closed. Staff are working to contact adjacent landowners to support a land-based removal solution.

Goliad Paddling Trail Alert

June 30, 2025
NOTICE: HWY 59 Landing Site Closed Due to TxDOT construction on the HWY 59 Bridge, the HWY 59 landing site is closed until further notice. However, the Goliad Paddling Trail remains open, and paddlers can still access the river at the Riverdale, Ferry Street, and Goliad State Park landings. Please plan accordingly and check back for updates.
Current Conditions

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