Harlandale in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Espada Dam

Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022

1. Espada Dam Marker

Inscription. This, the oldest continuously-used Spanish built diversion dam in Texas. Has provided irrigation water since its construction sometime between 1731 and 1745. The portion originally 270 feet long, is built on a natural rock foundation. A east wing is now covered by the nearby flood control levee. Despite a unique reverse buttress making an angular turn at the center of the channel the dam has withstood many years of destructive floods with only minor repairs required to maintain its sound condition. The 8 foot tall structure diverts approximately 4500 gallons of water per minute into the 4 mile long irrigation ditch known as "Acequia de Espada". By gravity flow the acequia provides irrigation water for 400 acres of land in the vicinity of Mission San Francisco de la Espada. The mouth of the acequia may be seen on the opposite bank of the river just upstream from the dam. The dam and irrigation system was engineered by missionaries and constructed by Indian converts, a remarkable feat at that time.

Erected 1966 by San Antonio River Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1731.

Location. 29° 20.776′

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N, 98° 27.937′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Harlandale. It is on Mission Parkway 0.4 miles south of SE Military Drive (State Highway 13), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the north side of the old Espada Dam. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 399 Mission Parkway, San Antonio TX 78214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kennedy Memorial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Dams Along the San Antonio River (within shouting distance of this marker); Stinson Airport (approx. half a mile away); Berg's Mill Community (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mission San Francisco de la Espada Dam, Ditch and Aqueduct (approx. one mile away); Espada Aqueduct (approx. one mile away); Berg's Mill (approx. one mile away); Bridging the Gulch (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Also see . . . Espada Dam. National Park Service

Acequia systems began with a dam that would raise the water level. The dam diverted water from the San Antonio river and forced it into hand dug earthen ditches that carried the water to farms around the missions. Eventually emptying back into the San Antonio River. The Espada Dam still diverts water from the river into the Espada acequia system, the oldest continually
Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022

2. The view of the Espada Dam Marker ane the cut to the Acequia (divergent ditch)
The Acequia (divergent ditch) is located on the far bank of the river between the two trees.
used acequia system in San Antonio.

(Submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Espada Aquaduct transporting the Espada Acequia across it image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022

3. The Espada Aquaduct transporting the Espada Acequia across it

The Espada Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022

4. The Espada Dam

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 739 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.