The Acequias of San Antonio
The Acequias of San Antonio is one of the earliest engineered water resource management systems in the United States. Almost 300 years after construction, some sections of the Acequias still provide water to fields outside of San Antonio.
The Acequias of San Antonio was recently featured in an ASCE article. It was constructed by Spanish settlers between 1718 and 1744 as part of their conquest to “civilize” the area by establishing an agricultural society. Creating these infrastructures for irrigation and other uses created reliable water access in the region.
“The acequias of San Antonio attained landmark status in ASCE’s Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program in 1968, and was among the first structures to be so recognized. Portions of the once sprawling system may be seen today in various locations, including the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.”
It is interesting to note there is almost no record of the engineering practices used to construct the Acequias. Historians believe this is because the techniques used were so common at the time, they were not worth documenting. It is important to learn from and preserve these structures as examples of complex engineering solutions that stand the test of time.
Water Resource Management Experts
OEI has over 30 years of experience working in the field of water resource management. Originally established as a water resources engineering firm, we continue to learn from past examples as we innovate new and sustainable solutions for a wide range of clients.
Some of our water resource management services include:
- Floodplain management
- Damage analysis and prevention
- Drainage
- Erosion control
- Dam and levee safety and rehabilitation
- Regulatory permitting processes
- And more
From our home region of north and north central Texas, we create efficient water resource management solutions for private and local entities as well as partner with federal agencies to successfully complete national level projects.