Salado Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salado Creek |
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Recycled water |
| River mouth | San Antonio River 29°16′56″N 98°26′05″W / 29.28225°N 98.43473°W |
| Length | 38 miles (61 km) |
Salado Creek (pronounced sə-LAH-doh) is a cool waterway in San Antonio, Texas. It flows for about 38 miles (61 km) (that's about 61 kilometers!) from northern Bexar County all the way to the San Antonio River. Think of it as a long, winding natural path through the land.
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What's a Watershed?
A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and water eventually flow into one main river or creek. Salado Creek has its own watershed. For a long time, natural springs kept the creek flowing. But when these springs started to dry up, people had to find new ways to keep the water moving.
In 1992, a special well that helped farmers with irrigation was closed. This made it harder for the creek's ecosystem (all the living things and their environment) to stay healthy. So, in 1995, people started making plans to help the creek. Groups like the Salado Creek Foundation worked hard to bring the creek back to life. They wanted to make sure it was still an important link between northern Bexar County and the old missions in the south.
The creek also faced challenges, like the big floods of 1998. These floods caused damage and washed away parts of the creek bed. But good news came in 2001! The San Antonio Water System started using recycled water to help the creek flow steadily. This was the first time in nearly ten years that the creek had a regular flow, which was great for its health!
A Look Back: Salado Creek's History
Salado Creek has a rich and exciting history! It got its name in 1716 from a Spanish explorer named Domingo Ramón. Over the years, this creek has been the setting for two important battles in Texas history.
The Battle of Rosillo Creek (1813)
The first big battle near Salado Creek was in 1813. It was called the Battle of Rosillo Creek back then, but sometimes people called it the Battle of Salado Creek. It started when a group called the Republican Army of the North, led by Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara and Samuel Kemper, tried to take over a fort called Presidio La Bahía. They had between 600 and 900 soldiers.
The Spanish Royal Army of Texas, led by Governor Manuel María de Salcedo, had to retreat to San Antonio. In March 1813, the Spanish army, with about 950 to 1,500 soldiers, planned to surprise the republicans. But the republicans saw them first! In less than an hour, the republicans won the battle. They captured many weapons, cannons, and horses, while only losing a few of their own men.
After this battle, the Spanish army went back to San Antonio. They made a deal with Kemper and surrendered Governor Salcedo. Sadly, Salcedo and 12 other prisoners were later executed by a vengeful Mexican soldier.
A few days later, on April 6, 1813, the very first Declaration of Independence and Constitution for Texas were written. This created the first Republic of Texas, and Gutiérrez became its president. But this new republic only lasted for four months, ending after another big fight called the Battle of Medina.
The Battle of Salado Creek (1842)
Another important battle happened at Salado Creek in 1842. This time, it was between volunteers from the Republic of Texas and Mexican forces led by Brig. General Adrián Woll.
This conflict started after another Mexican general, Ráfael Vásquez, had entered San Antonio earlier that year. Texas President Sam Houston had hoped for peace, so a planned attack was called off.
However, on September 11, 1842, Brig. Gen. Adrián Woll marched into San Antonio with 1,000 foot soldiers and 500 horse soldiers. About 200 Texas volunteers from nearby towns like Gonzales and Seguin gathered on the east bank of Salado Creek. They were led by Capt. Mathew Caldwell and joined by 14 rangers led by Capt. John C. Hays. The Texans had a good position and fought bravely, killing 60 Mexican soldiers while only losing one of their own.
At the same time, another group of 53 Texas volunteers, led by Capt. Nicholas Mosby Dawson, was trying to meet up with Caldwell's men. But they were cut off and surrounded by Mexican forces. After a short fight, they surrendered. Sadly, the Mexicans killed 36 Texans and wounded several others. This sad event became known as the Dawson Massacre.
Fun Activities at Salado Creek
Salado Creek isn't just for history buffs; it's also a great place for outdoor fun! According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, you can find different kinds of fish in the creek.
Some of the fish that have been caught here include:
So, if you enjoy fishing or just exploring nature, Salado Creek offers a chance to connect with the outdoors and learn about its amazing past!
