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Title: The Importance and Decline of Acequia Traditions in Northern New Mexico in the Face of a Developing West Author:
Alexandra Ninneman Abstract: Acequias have been a
permanent fixture in the development of northern New Mexico since their
introduction to the region by early Spanish settlers. A mix of traditional
Spanish and Native American irrigation practices, acequias embody the history
and mixing of cultures that make New Mexico so unique. However as New Mexico
has changed, so too have acequias. After becoming part of the United States
in 1907 and incorporating the Prior Appropriations Doctrine into state water
law, a multitude of legal battles continue to threaten the existence of this
fragile cultural practice. While many of these legal issues are still being
decided, increasing population has resulted in increased water use. Taos
County, a county once dependent upon acequia traditions, experienced an
increase of over 5,000 inhabitants between 1990 and 2000. Groundwater pumping
increased by over 1,000 acre-feet in that same time period, lowering the
water table and the flow of water in acequias within the county. As acequia
members slowly lose the fight to development, the risk of losing the spirit
of New Mexico continues to grow. Key
References: Ackerly, N.W. (1996). A review of the historic significance of and management recommendations for preserving New Mexico’s acequia systems. Silver City, NM: Dos Rios Consultants Ebright, M. (1987) The legal background. In C.L. Briggs and J.R. Van Ness (Eds) Land, water and culture: new perspectives on hispanic land grants (15-64). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. New Mexico State Engineer Office (1992). Water use by categories in New
Mexico counties and river basins, and irrigated acreage in 1990. Technical
Report 47. Santa Fe, NM: B.C. Wilson New Mexico State Engineer Office (2000).
Water use by categories in New Mexico counties and river basins, and
irrigated acreage in 2000. Technical Report 47. Santa Fe, NM United States Bureau of the Census (1995). New Mexico population of counties by decennial census: 1900-1990. Washington, D.C.: Forstall, R.L. United States Bureau of the Census (2000). New Mexico – county population by age group, census 2000. Washington, D.C. Return to Water
Resources Projects page. |
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Date: May
2008
Student: *@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w