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.
Espada Dam. . 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.
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.
N, 98° 27.937′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Harlandale. Marker 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.
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,
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.
the oldest continually used acequia system in San Antonio.
(Submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022
3. The Espada Aquaduct transporting the Espada Acequia across it
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 203 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
