Acequia Madre de Valero

Acequia Madre de Valero is a colonial irrigation waterway that runs from Brackenridge Park toward South Alamo Street, constructed from local limestone blocks and featuring simple water control gates. The channel directed flow from its source through farmland and mission grounds using gravity and manual adjustments.

Built in 1719 by Spanish settlers and indigenous workers, the waterway supplied irrigation for fields supporting the San Antonio de Valero Mission. The construction method combined Spanish knowledge with local expertise adapted to Texas geography and water availability.

The waterway reflects how Spanish colonists and local workers collaborated on water management techniques that shaped early settlement life. People moving through San Antonio today still follow paths that trace the canal's original route through the city.

Start at the restored sections near the Hemisfair area, where a limestone marker displays historical information from the Texas Historical Commission. The terrain is walkable, allowing visitors to follow stretches through the city and then into more open areas.

A section of the waterway runs beneath the Menger Hotel, forming part of a broader network of channels extending across the region. This hidden portion demonstrates how colonial water systems were absorbed into the growing city's infrastructure.

Location: Texas

Architects: Antonio de Olivares

Part of: Johann and Anna Heidgen House

GPS coordinates: 29.42167,-98.48917

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08