Mitigation of climate change impacts by hydrologic and cultural components of traditional acequia irrigation systems
Abstract
In northern New Mexico and other physiographically similar semi-arid settings worldwide, traditional irrigation systems divert snowmelt runoff from streams for distribution to valley croplands. This field hydrology and culture study is taking place in three New Mexico watersheds. Ongoing measurements show that seepage to groundwater and subsequent stream recharge from subsurface return flows effectively reduce spring runoff peaks and augment summer baseflow. This retransmission function of traditional acequia irrigated valleys is important for downstream users, particularly in the face of changing climate with projected earlier snowmelt and increased rain. Preliminary evaluations of the community irrigation management structure show high adaptability to climate variation. Water is partitioned to individual users based on water availability, with more water for all in wet years and less for all in dry years. Irrigation water seepage has additional benefits: water quality improvement, wildlife habitat creation, riparian vegetation support, and aesthetic enhancement. Community cohesion and longevity are supported by hydrologic and cultural aspects of the irrigation systems. Lessons learned from these systems promise a window into techniques for sustainable management of linked watersheds and river valleys under future climate change scenarios.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.U13B0069F
- Keywords:
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- 1803 HYDROLOGY / Anthropogenic effects;
- 1830 HYDROLOGY / Groundwater/surface water interaction;
- 1876 HYDROLOGY / Water budgets