SAN ANTONIO – The Martinez creek near Binz-Engleman Road typically looks like a serene body of water that attracts pelicans, herons and all kinds of other wildlife.
Recently residents noticed the reservoir was draining and fish were dying by the hundreds in a small pool baking in the Texas Summer sun.
Amy Middleton, an engineer for SARA explained the agency is overseeing a $5.7 million project to improve three dams on Martinez creek that were originally built in the 1960s.
"We have a project right now that includes three dams, we're rehabilitating them to bring them up to the 50 year standard," Middleton said. "Over time people move in and build more houses or structures which causes more impervious cover, therefore we have more runoff, therefore we have more water and when you have all that water you have to slow it down so it doesn't flood the downstream."
SARA had to drain the reservoirs to make the improvements to the dams.
Middleton said that process started in March but heavy spring rains slowed the draining.
Middleton said SARA held a series of public meetings and even sent out emails to residents who live near the reservoirs to keep them in the loop.
As for the fish, Middleton said before pulling the plug, SARA removed the native fish.
"Prior to construction we did a fish relocation plan, part of that was done through the Texas Parks and Wildlife. We got appropriate permits to relocate the fish and we worked really hard to move as many as we could," Middleton said.
Thousands of other non-native fish and any others that may have found their way into the reservoirs have died off as the waters evaporated, bringing swarms of vultures to the area.
Middleton said the work should be done next spring and eventually the area will return to its natural state.
"Once the dam is completely rehabilitated and all the structures are in place, then we will close the gates so that the pool will fill back up when it rains," Middleton said.
Although the reservoirs and dams are located on private land, SARA knows some local residents like to visit the bodies of water. Middleton urged those residents to stay away from the area while the construction is taking place.
This is what Martinez creek typically looks like behind DAM #1:
Photo Credit: Hugo Barraza