Acequia Madre

Constructed over 400 years ago, the Acequia Madre, or Mother Ditch, transports precious water to Santa Fe from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Spanish brought ditch technology and regulation procedures of Arabic origin to New Mexico from Spain, where they used acequias to irrigate similarly arid terrain. Shortly after settlers arrived in Santa Fe, they dug the Acequia Madre, and its companion the Acequia de la Muralla, on the northern wall of the old presidio along today’s Hillside Avenue, to supply water for domestic use and crop irrigation to residents. Both the Acequia Madre and the Acequia de la Muralla continue to run, though at a reduced rate. Homeowners along the acequias must understand that caring for their section of acequia affects the flow of water to neighboring properties and to the community. Historically, communities built acequias along with other communal structures such as churches, emphasizing the significance of shared experience and collaboration.

From Old Santa Fe Today, 5th edition by Audra Bellmore with photographs by Simone Frances.