ACEQUIAS AS SERVICE ECOLOGIES: FLOOD MITIGATION AND RIPARIAN STRONGHOLDS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Acequias are carefully maintained, gravity fed, irrigation systems. Acequia irrigation networks were incorporated into the water transferring schema of Meso-America over 500 years ago. Decentralized water systems, like acequias, evolve through inter-generational knowledge, specifically of how to address land use needs, over decades. Local control of water resources is increasingly important as we move forward in the Anthropocene. Evaluation of acequias as service ecosystems is part of a global movement to support small-scale, community-led water sharing systems. In region seven of New Mexico (the Upper Pecos Watershed), there are many ancient acequia systems that have effectively irrigated leading to broadened riparian areas in the semiarid region. This work identifies, maps, and describes some of these vestigial and marginally ephemeral acequia systems that have languished in disrepair in and around Las Vegas, New Mexico. The recent spring 2022, catastrophic forest fires led to challenging flood patterns throughout the region. This study is comprised of terrain analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to find incidental channel impoundments with accompanying ground-truthing to locate abandoned water management structures, ideally using 1m² digital elevation models, when possible. Numerous academic reports argue that groundwater recharge is more abundant in acequia associated croplands. Active and restructured acequias could relieve flooding, refurbish wetlands, revitalize riparian habitat, and recharge aquifers. We present evidence to support acequias as service ecosystems. This work sets parameters for reconnecting ditches as low-cost alternatives to comparable civic works. It is important to note that acequias are legally subdivisions of the state, therefore allowing public outlay monies to be applied to their care. Collaboration with acequia associations will be required for this work to be effective.