The Mother Ditch

<p>The mother ditch or <em>acequia madre</em> is the main water line that is dug by hand and feeds many of the smaller <em>acequias</em> that cover the fertile land of Northern New Mexico. The <em>acequias </em>water ditches were used to irrigate the fields of crops for many farmers in the early days of settlement in New Mexico. A unique technology the <em>acequia</em> especially the mother ditch had to be taken care of by everyone in the community that benefited from its generosity. A governing body was established to watch over the utilization and maintenance of the ditch. The <em>mayordomo</em> was the top elected official to preside over the governing council and he was also required to perform numerous responsibilities representative of the people of the community. The <em>acequia </em>was truly one of the last vestiges of a life where people depended on each other for survival. The life of the community revolved around the <em>acequia</em>. Cooperation was essential to ensure everyone’s sustenance. Today many of the <em>acequias</em> the early settlers of New Mexico depended on have dried up. Yet when one stands in the footings of these sand pits you can feel the presence of the power of water that was so significant to the development of human progress in this part of the continent. English and Spanish edition.</p>