Officials removed hundreds of giant invasive snails from San Antonio River Walk

The San Antonio River Authority has so far removed more than 500 giant invasive apple snails from the downtown River Walk during the city’s biannual draining. The city has been draining the River Walk periodically since the 1980s. Officials said it’s to help keep the natural site clean, beautiful, and attractive for residents and tourists. 

During a media briefing on Tuesday, January 25, Chris Vaughn, the San Antonio River Authority Senior Aquatic Biologist, said crews started removing and relocating species both native and non-native on early Monday morning. He said their main priority is the relocation of native aquatic organisms, which they transferred to designated relocation zones. The species will be dumped back into the River Walk once the maintenance is done finished, which is expected to be Sunday at the latest. 

Vaughn added they also remove some of the non-native organisms found in the river, such as the suckermouth catfish, tilapia, and invasive apple snails. The city first discovered the snails in the River Walk in October 2019. 

Chairs and a stroller were among some of the items found during the city’s bi-annual draining of the River Walk in 2022. 

Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com

The snails can grow up to the size of a baseball and are usually the result of aquarium releases. The species can wreak havoc on aquatic vegetation and can carry a rat lungworm parasite that can infect humans. Vaughn said they donated the 500 apple snails found so far to Southwestern University for research.

Along with unusual creatures, Nefi Garza, the city’s public works assistant director, says officials have also found lots of chairs, strollers, eating utensils, large amounts of rock settlement, and common restaurant items. He said they haven’t weighed the  trash pulled from the River Walk but will have those numbers soon. 

“While there are always interesting things to see what we pull out of the river, we want to remind folks that this is one of the most precious resources that we have,” Garza said during the briefing. “It’s important that we work together as a community to keep it clean as much as possible throughout the year.”

Officials found several items during its bi-annual draining. 

Officials found several items during its bi-annual draining. 

Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com

Officials found several items during its bi-annual draining. 

Officials found several items during its bi-annual draining. 

Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com

Although the River Walk draining occurs biannualy, Jose Salazar, operations manager for the public works department, said they conduct a street sweeping operation every night in the downtown area to help keep the river clean. The city also works with local organizations that volunteer with river clean-up.

Additionally, the San Antonio River Authority has a program where River Warrior volunteers help the agency with ecosystem restoration activities, like planting native grasses and trees, removing invasive species, pruning, mulching trees, and helping maintain native habitats at Confluence Park on the Mission Reach portion of the San Antonio River Walk.

“The River Walk area is a world-famous site and we feel a great responsibility to keep it beautiful, attractive for residents as well as tourists,” Garza said. “We really encourage visitors and residents to understand the natural value of the river.”

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