Acequias capture their water by thrusting barriers out into local rivers, forcing water to pool at the side and run into the channels dug centuries ago . Neighbors who share an acequia traditionally clean out the ditch every year around early spring.
What is a acequia used for?
An acequia (Spanish: [aˈθekja]) or séquia (Catalan: [ˈsɛkia]) is a community-operated watercourse used in Spain and former Spanish colonies in the Americas for irrigation .
What is acequia water system?
Acequias are irrigation canals designed to share water for agriculture in a dry land . The acequia system was once prevalent in the west and southwest; acequias are still used in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. ... This unique system gives equal shares of water for agriculture to users in both wet and dry years.
What is the acequia system why it is important to New Mexico?
During the Spanish and Mexican colonial period, acequias, which are canal-like structures used for irrigation, were often the first to be collectively constructed along with churches or homes. Growing food was so important that digging out the acequia to bring water to crops was a priority.
How are acequias used within your community?
Acequias provide communities and associated regions with valuable ecosystem services (benefits individuals and communities gain from well-functioning ecosystems). Such ecosystem services include diluting contaminants in the groundwater supply, including nitrates, and contributing to riparian habitat.
How does the acequia system work?
Each mayordomo manages the infrastructure of irrigation. Acequias capture their water by thrusting barriers out into local rivers , forcing water to pool at the side and run into the channels dug centuries ago. ... Neighbors who share an acequia traditionally clean out the ditch every year around early spring.
What does acequia mean in English?
Southwest. : an irrigation ditch or canal .
What is the leader of the acequia called?
An acequia is managed by a ditch boss, or mayordomo , a word of clearly Latin origins, and three comisionados, or commissioners, all elected by the landowning members of the acequia.
What is a Acequia Madre?
The Acequia Madre, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, is a historic acequia which was built at the time of Las Vegas’ settlement in 1835–36. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It runs from the Gallinas River to the approximate intersection of S. Pacific and U.S. Route 85 in Las Vegas.
What is the Mayordomos job?
A majordomo is a person who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge for another . Typically, this is the highest (major) person of a household (domūs or domicile) staff, a head servant who acts on behalf of the owner of a large or significant residence.
Where did acequia originate?
Acequia Legacy
The word “acequia” is of Arabic origin, brought to Spain by the Moors of North Africa. The tradition had made its way from India through Persia and north Africa, filling an important niche for arid-land farming communities.
Why is New Mexico water scarce?
New Mexico relies on both groundwater and surface water sources, but about 87 percent of New Mexico’s public water supply comes from ground water. ... New Mexico also has long periods of drought and inconsistent precipitation , so relying on surface water can lead to shortages as well.
Who created Acequias?
Acequias | From North Africa to New Mexico
However, acequias were not a Spanish innovation. The Spanish learned how to build them from the Moors. The Moors started building acequias over 10,000 years ago to grow crops in the Middle East and North Africa.
What are the main responsibilities of a mayordomo or ditch boss?
The mayordomo is the “ditch boss” who works to ensure equitable water distribution, and makes him/herself available to address issues that come up throughout the growing season , as well as observing the activities of the surrounding environment during the off-season, such as snowpack, beaver dams, ditch repair and ...
What are the Reparto meetings for?
Each acequia must hold an annual meeting to elect the mayordomo and commissioners and to deal with other routine ditch business . Parciantes also hold meetings to deal with crisis situations and the rationing of water during drought. ... The mayordomo assigns the water and manages the reparto de agua according to custom.
Who introduced acequias to the southwest?
Brought by Spanish settlers to Mexican territory in the 16th century (including what is today the American Southwest), acequias were a system perfectly suited to the arid, high-elevation landscape where drought was common and the availability of water varied drastically from season to season and year to year.
