WATER New Mexicos Most Important Resource Major Sources

WATER New Mexico’s Most Important Resource

Major Sources • Rivers – – – Rio Grande Pecos River San Juan River Gila River Rio Chama • Lakes – – – Elephant Butte Reservoir Caballo Reservoir Navajo Lake Ute Lake Conchas Lake • Aquifers (ground water)

How New Mexico Gets Water

Flow of Water (Water Sheds)

Water Use In New Mexico

Aquifers

Acequias • Spanish word (stolen from Arabic) for “barmaid”. • In all reality, acequias are ditches used for irrigation. • In NM, they are registered bodies (meaning they can employ people and earn money). • Led by a mayordomo or “ditch rider. ”

Acequias • They are communal , not individually owned. • The mayordomo decides who gets water and how much water they get. – How do they come up with this decision?

Acequias • Mayordomo: elected by acequia members. • Acequia members get one vote (popular vote). • Mayordomo settles water rights disputes, and his/her word is final. – How would you settle disputes like this?

Acequias • All members are responsible for repairing and maintaining the acequia. • What happens to NM agriculture – and cultural distinction – if we run out of water?

Water Crisis • http: //articles. latimes. co • http: //www. nbcnews. co m/2013/jan/25/nation/lam/video/nightlyna-texas-water-20130126 news/52269004#5226900 4 • http: //www. scpr. org/pro grams/taketwo/2013/06/13/32232/s mall-new-mexico-town-of -magdalena-runs-out-ofwat/ • http: //stopthewatergrab. blogspot. com/