Acequias and the American Southwest

Throughout the Southwestern United States, persistent drought has occurred since 1990, with average temperatures rising annually and precipitation totals dwindling. Adaption to this changing climate is crucial for the millions of Americans who call the Southwest home, as well as preserving many cultures and traditions. For hundreds of years, the majority of agricultural land in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico has been irrigated through systems of irrigation canals called “Acequias”, and most of that land is still irrigated in the same manner today. At the time of the Spanish conquest, Native American Pueblo Indians were irrigating in this fashion, and these Acequias were later refined into a system of local government by Spanish Colonizers in the early 17th Century. Ensuring this ancient method can survive into the late 21st century and beyond requires an immense understanding of the watersheds, waterways, environment, crops, and the people Acequias support. Implementing current practices such as, natural river channel design standards, pipeline and canal lining design, and the regulation and monitoring of water consumption by local government agencies is critical for the survival of agriculture as well as historical cultural practices of the region. This paper and presentation will explore the history of the Acequia, and modern engineering solutions to improve irrigation efficiency, watershed health, and sustainability for this ancient method.