New Mexico Acequias: QGIS Cloud Web Map

View a map of New Mexico acequias in your browser with data from New Mexico RGIS.

Link to map: https://qgiscloud.com/Rchrdptrsn/acequia

QGIS Cloud - acequia

image created by author with QGIS Cloud

Uses

• Find the name of an acequia.
• Find the length of an acequia.
• Find the administrative organization for an acequia.
• Explore all acequias in New Mexico.

What is an acequia?

Acequias are irrigation ditches in New Mexico and Colorado that were dug primarily by Spanish farmers in the region. Indigenous people in the region dug irrigation ditches for thousands of years, but for Spanish farmers the practice and management was brought over from Spain and dates back to the Moors. The word “acequia” originated from the Arabic word al-sāqiyah, which can mean “the water conduit” or “one that bears water” as well as ‘bartender’ (source). The manager of an Acequia is typically called the “mayordomo,” and the landowners that benefit from and take care of the acequia are called “parciantes.” Acequias…