San Antonio Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Antonio Springs |
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Location of San Antonio Springs
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| Location | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Coordinates | 29°28′08″N 98°28′03″W / 29.468889°N 98.467500°W |
| Spring source | Edwards Aquifer |
| Elevation | 680 feet (210 m) above sea level |
| Type | Karst springs |
| Provides water for | San Antonio River |
| Magnitude | 2 |
| Discharge | 20 cubic feet (570 L)/s |
The San Antonio Springs, also called the Blue Hole, are a group of natural water sources in Bexar County, Texas. They provide a lot of water for the San Antonio River, which flows from the city of San Antonio all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Other nearby springs, like the San Pedro Springs, also add water to the river.
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Where Are the San Antonio Springs Located?
The San Antonio Springs are found about three miles (5 km) north of Downtown San Antonio. Most of them are now on the land of the University of the Incarnate Word. This area is in the Midtown Brackenridge district of San Antonio.
How Do the Springs Get Their Water?
The water for these springs comes from the Edwards Aquifer. An aquifer is like a giant underground sponge made of rock that holds water. This water reaches the surface through cracks in the Earth called faults. These faults are part of the Balcones Escarpment, a long line of cliffs and hills.
Why Do the Springs Sometimes Stop Flowing?
More than 100 different springs have been found here over time. However, many of them no longer flow. This is because a lot of water is pumped out of the Edwards Aquifer for people to use. Also, dirt and sand from Olmos Creek, which flows into the springs, can fill them up.
During times when there isn't much rain, called a drought, the springs might stop flowing completely. But they start flowing again when the water levels in the aquifer rise after it rains. On average, the springs release about 20 cubic feet (0.6 cubic meters) of water every second.
A Look Back: History of the San Antonio Springs
People have been using the San Antonio Springs for a very long time.
Who Lived Near the Springs First?
Scientists have found tools and other items from Paleo-Indian cultures at the spring sites. Some of these items are over 11,000 years old! This shows that people lived here even before recorded history.
When the first Europeans arrived, they found many groups of Coahuiltecan Native Americans living around the springs. However, these groups were later replaced by the Lipan Apaches.
How Were the Springs Used by Early Settlers?
Spanish missionaries built special water systems to use the spring water. They created aqueducts and ditches to carry water from the springs to their local missions. One of these famous missions was The Alamo.
By the time of the American Civil War, the water from the springs had become dirty. So, in the 1880s, people drilled artesian wells to get clean water for the city of San Antonio. Artesian wells tap into underground water that is under pressure, so it flows up to the surface on its own.
Gallery
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Entrance to the springs area -
The largest spring, The Blue Hole -
High water levels due to recent rains -
Spring water pouring out of the mouth of The Blue Hole -
Water flows downstream -
Additional, smaller springs -
More springs -
Olmos Creek (left) joins with San Antonio Springs (right) to form the San Antonio River
