Water The Most Precious Gift Of Life

Espada Dam, the oldest functioning aqueduct

in the United States is certainly an impressing

site to visit. Thanks to the Romans, for bringing
this idea of water distribution to Spain who in
turn brought it to the New World. The Espada
Dam's design, it's purpose, and its present day
impact on San Antonio would have never
occurred without the San Antonio River.

On my way to the Espada Dam I first stopped to see the Espada Aqueduct. My first impression of it looked like someone had built a bridge over the small creek below. As I got a little closer to see it I was amazed after so many years water continues to still flow nearby the mission.

My next stop was to the what I like to call the new Espada Dam. The new dam is designed to
hold lots of water back in order to prevent flooding. There is a small bridge just below the dam
where when it has no water over it you can cross the river to see where the old Espada
Dam is located. The new dam is much bigger and is made of cement. The old dam is constructed
with huge native rock. It amazes me how the Native Americans carried these huge rocks to the
location of Espada Dam.

Long ago, the Espada Dam served many purposes. Spaniards and Native Americans used the
San Antonio River and Dam for drinking water, fishing and washing clothes. Another very
important purpose was to irrigate hundreds of acres of crop farming during drought seasons.
The families that live nearby the Mission Espada today can still use the aqueduct for
irrigating the crops. As I was driving by I also saw a residence using the aqueduct to water their
flowers surrounding a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The Mission Espada Dam in San Antonio would never have happened if it was not for the San
Antonio River. The historical impact on San Antonio has caused tremendous tourist
attractions. As the Spaniards and Native Americans were building the mission and preparing
the water system, they most likely did not envision a huge city to develop one day.

In conclusion, the old and new Espada Dams are located along the San Antonio River at
Espada Park just off of Southwest Military Drive. These dam's design, purpose and impact on
San Antonio has served as a survival resource to the Spaniards and Native Americans. The dam
presently continues to serve Native San Antonians as a resource along as a tourist attractions to hundreds of people coming to visit the mission.