Cited by 59Archaeology and Natural HistoryIrrigation Practices and Water ManagementWater management and technologies

Hydrologic, Riparian, and Agroecosystem Functions of Traditional Acequia Irrigation Systems

Fernald, Alexander G., Baker, Terrell T., Guldan, Steven J.·2007·Journal of Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Traditional cultures in arid landscapes of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico developed irrigation systems to irrigate floodplain valleys along streams and rivers. Many of these traditional irrigation systems, referred to as acequias, continue to be used today. Population growth in the region is creating pressures to convert agricultural land and irrigation water to urban and other uses. Unique hydrologic features of the acequia systems suggest that, beyond providing crop irrigation, they may provide additional valuable hydrologic, riparian, and agroecosystem functions worth maintaining. We investigated in detail the seepage and the groundwater response to seepage from a traditional acequia irrigation ditch along the Rio Grande in north-central New Mexico. We found that 16% of ditch flow seeps into the ditch bed and banks. Groundwater levels near the ditch and midway between the ditch and the river rise 1 m or more within three to four weeks following the start of the irrigation season. The elevated groundwater table produced by ditch and field seepage is sustained until late summer when groundwater levels again drop. The seepage that provides this annual groundwater recharge also sustains riparian vegetation along the main ditch and side ditches. In light of our hydrologic analysis, we considered seepage-supported riparian areas and their ecological functions including aquatic habitat, terrestrial habitat, and water quality effects. Acequia hydrology plays an important role in contributing to an ecologically healthy, agriculturally productive, and community-sustaining floodplain agroecosystem.

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Crossref · 10.1300/j064v30n02_13

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  • Depending on soil type and gradient, traditional irrigation systems can yield later-season return flows to mainstem rivers.

    “Depending on soil type and gradient, these traditional irrigation systems can yield later-season return flows to mainstem rivers.”

    From Lines in the landscape (2025) · cites this paper as [71]

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Authors
Fernald, A. G., Baker, T. T., & Guldan, S. J.
Affiliations
New Mexico State University (US)
Venue
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
Published
2007-08
Volume
30
Issue
2
Pages
147-171
ISSN
  • 1044-0046 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-7578
OpenAlex
W2062724378
Cited by
59
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
FWCI
10.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Archaeology and Natural History
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Irrigation Practices and Water Management
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Water management and technologies
Keywords
traditional irrigation, groundwater recharge, groundwater level, riparian vegetation, Rio Grande, aquatic habitat, water quality, arid landscapes, land use change

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