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 itchell
Lake, a hidden jewel on San Antonio's south side, is well
on its way to achieving star status thanks to recent improvements.
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SAWS has finalized a contract with the National
Audubon Society to operate
Mitchell Lake Wildlife Refuge as a public use and education
facility.
For more information on this partnership,
click here.
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As the site of one of San Antonio's first centralized wastewater
treatment projects, Mitchell Lake spent the better part of the
twentieth century as an unwelcomed but necessary neighbor to most
nearby residents.
But the lake's unflattering function was all but ignored by
the area's avian inhabitants, who continued to frequent the
shallow wetlands that had welcomed their ancestors for hundreds
of years.
By the time discharge of raw or partially-treated effluent was discontinued in 1987,
Mitchell Lake was well on its way to becoming a world-class
bird-watching site.
The lake is positioned on a natural migratory bird route and
serves as a resting point for tens of thousands of birds each
year. Bird-watchers come from all over the world to see the
unique variety of birds that visit there. Among the more than
300 species observed are pelicans, egrets, roseate spoonbills,
wild ducks, and hawks.
Until now, visitors have enjoyed the wildlife without any kind
of accommodations — not even restrooms.
Mitchell Lake Slide Show
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Mitchell Lake is positioned on
a natural migratory route and serves as a resting point for tens
of thousands of birds each year. Here are a few pictures of some
recent avian visitors for you to enjoy.
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But in December 2002, SAWS Board committed $1.5 million to
improve roads and bridges on the property and to build a
visitor's center. Those improvements were substantially completed in
January of 2004.
The visitor's center was created through the restoration of
the Leeper House, a historic building relocated to the lake
from the McNay Art Museum. The converted building
features a meeting room, testing lab, office
and disabled-accessible restrooms.
Eventually Mitchell Lake will be part of a Mission Trail with
hiking and biking paths.
"Although we're developing better access and a visitors' center
for the Mitchell Lake site, we're working very hard to ensure
that the natural habitat that both attracts
and protects these birds stays in its original
condition," said Steve Clouse, Interim Vice President of Treatment.
Paths to view the wildlife are located away from nesting
sites, and visitors are required to remain on the access
paths. Pets are not allowed.
Plans for Mitchell Lake were developed by SAWS in partnership
with the Mitchell
Lake Wetlands Society, the San
Antonio Audubon Society, and the public. Improvement construction
was managed by SAWS.
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