30 November 1990.  "The missions' need for irrigation for the crops necessitated an
elaborate system of acequias, or irrigation ditches, to channel water. The Spanish
constructed seven acequias, five dams, and an aqueduct, using American Indian
workers. This system extended 15 miles and irrigated 3,500 acres of land. The Espada
Aqueduct was constructed in 1745 by Franciscans to serve the mission lands of Espada.
It is the only remaining Spanish aqueduct in the United States."