San Antonio Springs

San Antonio Springs
Location of San Antonio Springs
Map
LocationSan Antonio, Texas, USA
Coordinates29°28′08″N 98°28′03″W / 29.468889°N 98.467500°W / 29.468889; -98.467500
Spring sourceEdwards Aquifer
Elevation680 feet (210 m) above sea level
TypeKarst springs
Provides water forSan Antonio River
Magnitude2
Discharge20 cubic feet (570 L)/s

San Antonio Springs (also known as the Blue Hole) is a cluster of springs in Bexar County, Texas. These springs provide a large portion of the water for the San Antonio River, which flows from San Antonio to the Gulf of Mexico. The San Pedro Springs also feed into the San Antonio River.

Geography

The San Antonio Springs are located about three miles (5 km) north of Downtown San Antonio; most are now on the property of the University of the Incarnate Word in the Midtown Brackenridge district of San Antonio. The springs are fed by water from the Edwards Aquifer; this water reaches the surface through faults along the Balcones Escarpment. There have been more than 100 individual springs identified, but many of these are no longer active due to pumping demands on the Edwards Aquifer and sedimentation from the upstream Olmos Creek, although sedimentation has been partially mitigated by the Olmos Dam since 1926.[1] During periods of drought, the springs sometimes stop flowing entirely, only to resume when water levels rise in the aquifer. The mean flow from the springs is 20 ft³/s (0.6 m³/s).

History

Artifacts from Paleo-Indian cultures have been found at the site of the San Antonio Springs; some of these artifacts are more than 11,000 years old.[2]

The earliest Europeans found up to 200 sub-bands of Coahuiltecan Indians in the vicinity of the springs; however, they were soon displaced by the Lipan Apaches. Spanish missionaries built a system of aqueducts and canals to carry water from the springs to the local missions, including The Alamo.[2][3]

By the Civil War, the springs had become contaminated.[3] In 1891, artesian wells were drilled to provide clean water for the city.[3]

  • Entrance to the springs area
    Entrance to the springs area
  • The largest spring, The Blue Hole
    The largest spring, The Blue Hole
  • High water levels due to recent rains
    High water levels due to recent rains
  • Spring water pouring out of the mouth of The Blue Hole
    Spring water pouring out of the mouth of The Blue Hole
  • Water flows downstream
    Water flows downstream
  • Additional, smaller springs
    Additional, smaller springs
  • More springs
    More springs
  • Olmos Creek (left) joins with San Antonio Springs (right) to form the San Antonio River
    Olmos Creek (left) joins with San Antonio Springs (right) to form the San Antonio River

References

  1. ^ Brune, G.M. (2002). Springs of Texas. Manufacturing engineering modular series. Texas A&M University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-58544-196-9. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  2. ^ a b "San Antonio Springs". Texas State Historical Association, Handbook of Texas. 1995-04-01. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  3. ^ a b c "San Antonio Springs and Brackenridge Park". The Edwards Aquifer Website. Retrieved 2021-11-08.