Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Abstract

acequia: An irrigation ditch or canal with Middle Easter origins. “One of the most significant accomplishments of the Spanish Colonial residents of San Antonio was their construction of a complex and expansive system comprising dams, gates, and irrigation canals. Together these systems, known as acequias, enabled the missions to thrive and determined settlement patterns.” The original acequia network in San Antonio provided water to five Spanish missions spread along the San Antonio River. Later additions to the network provided water to settlers who were not associated with the