The Secret Engineering of San Antonio's River Walk

2025-01-11
The Secret Engineering of San Antonio's River Walk

San Antonio's River Walk, a beloved tourist attraction, maintains its constant water level through ingenious engineering. This article details the replacement of critical floodgates in the system. The project involved overcoming significant challenges to replace aging gates without draining the river. Crews also upgraded a pump room, improving flood control and water quality. The story showcases the intricate engineering and commitment to preserving this urban jewel, highlighting the meticulous process of removing and installing massive components in a bustling downtown area.

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The Hidden Engineering of Wildlife Crossings

2024-12-21
The Hidden Engineering of Wildlife Crossings

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a $92 million project near Los Angeles, is the world's largest wildlife crossing of its kind. This article delves into the engineering behind these vital structures, addressing the challenges of habitat fragmentation, noise pollution, and wildlife-vehicle collisions caused by roads. It explores various design aspects, including site selection, crossing types (underpasses, overpasses, culverts), fencing strategies, and attracting animals to use the crossings. The article highlights the different crossing behaviors of various species and corresponding engineering solutions, such as elevated bridges for large animals and culverts for smaller ones. Design considerations include animal behavior, topography, vegetation, and ensuring the crossings blend seamlessly into the landscape, minimizing human-wildlife conflict.

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