The Espada Dam, a Life Source

The Espada Dam is a beautiful historical sight. It is located just a little over a mile from Mission San Franciscio de la Espada. The dam was constructed in about the year 1745, during the time of the Franciscians. This was the time in which the Spaniards were trying to convert the indigenous into the Christian faith. This past Saturday, September 15th, 2007 I had the pleasure of visiting The Espada Dam.

I arrived around 1:45p.m that afternoon. The day had turned out to be a beautiful one. The climate that day was a bit on the hot side, but tolerable. I was on my way to explore the magnificant Dam built by the Native Americans, over 250 years ago. As I walked down my path to get a closer view of the dam, I could not help but think that these exact same grounds were once traveled on by the Native Americans and Spaniards who could very well be my own ancestors.

As I came at closer range to the Espada Dam, the sound of rushing water became louder. The sound was so very relaxing to me. It came almost as music to my ears. The area surroundings were all so breathtaking. All was beautiful and peaceful to admire. The grounds were surrounded by so many huge beautiful trees. The grass was so thick and green, but very itchy. Even though the grass was itchy and the mesquitos were biting, this enormous body of landscape brought on a sense of calmness. Along the dam there were many rocks of many sizes and shapes. There were also a steady amount of people walking a trail along side the dam. Bicyclists were also in the areas nearby, debating whether they should cross over the rushing waters onto the otherside of the dam.

In the waters I saw some really pretty white birds, I don't know the exact name of them but none the less they were drinking the water, that was once the main source of life for the Native Americans and the Spaniards. These waters were at one point in time not only used as a drinking source but also used by the Natives and the Spaniards for many other tasks. Bathing, cooking, and washing of garments were also other tasks that required this water source. These exact waters contained by the Dam,flow and channel through canals about 270 feet long. The San Antonio River is where these waters originate from, but because of the hard work of the indigenous people the water runs along a wide stretch of land.Long ago these waters were used for many activities. But in my opinion,I feel that the most important task that these waters were and still are used for is irrigation. To the present day farmers of the nearby lands still use this source to irrigate their crops.

Espada Dam is an amazing sight,it is not only a main source from which area farmers irrigate their crops, but just about the most beautiful sight there is on the southside of San Antonio. The Dam was built with alot of hard work and effort and we as the community should see that we take a part in preserving it. Let us as a community keep it clean and free of any debris. The people of these lands long ago used these waters as a main source of life, and still today we continue to utilize it.