LeeAnn Quintana
English 12
February 18, 2018
Room A-310
Period 3A
Mrs. Nadaskay Goeller
Thesis
Spanish conquistadors brought ancient iberian irrigation methods to the dry deserts of New Mexico in the late fifthteen hundreds. Today, these acequias are still a life line, enabling green oasis in a place that doesn´t see much rain. The core of engineers is working to strengthen the acequias. By improving the efficiency of the transport, the actually improve the efficiency of delivering the water to the crops themselves. More than a thousands acequias across New Mexico provide more than a liquid life line. It gives a sense of community that an acequias lends to an area. It binds all the residents; a bond that has a legal standing. The acequias are state recognized and do have bylaws on how they are going to conduct water delivery. In many communities, it's the only suit of government that exists. A cooperation that's not too prevalent in today's society. A society whose ancient relationship with water remains consistent today.
What is an acequia?…show more content… Mostly everyone that lives on the valley floor has water rights to the acequias. When the land grants were established, in order for the people to complete their claim to the land grant they had to irrigate and put their land to beneficial use. After 1848 and the war between the United States and Mexico, the territorial legislature adopted what were the Spanish laws and regulations. Therefore, after 1907 and there on after, it is considered a property right. It can be bought, sold and traded making it a commodity today. Under current laws, if you don't use the water for four years, it can be
