Drainage Canal, Bridge and Culvert, 1940

Drainage Canal, Bridge and Culvert

Agency: National Youth Administration

Date: 1940

In 1940 the National Youth Administration (NYA) worked on a drainage canal and box culvert with a bridge spanning both as part of a series of projects at the Witte Museum. It is possible the work was undertaken to mitigate flooding of the adjacent Reptile Garden which the NYA had completed work on the previous year. The walls of the drainage canal were lined with stone set in concrete while the bottom was left unfinished. Historic maps and archaeological reports indicate that the drainage canal was pre-existing and the NYA simply made improvements to a channel associated with the 1719 Acequia Madre and diversion dam. A concrete box culvert was added on the east end of the drainage canal connecting to the sewer system. A stone bridge spans the drainage canal and culvert allowing for pedestrians and vehicle to cross.

Sources:

Anderson, Nesta J. Historic Resources Reconnaissance Survey of the Witte Drainage Project, Bexar County, Texas. Pape-Dawson, 2015.