Brought to you by the Drip Drop Dream Team 

Because EVERY Drop Counts! 

Table of Contents: 

A Little About the Creators 

The Drip Drop Dream Team!

Together they are making EVERY drop count! 

History and Background of Acequias 

What is an Acequia?

Definition of Acequia: An irrigation channel that carries snowmelt from the mountains to newly tilled farm fields.

Acequias are a system of irrigation canals and ditches that have been used for centuries in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, particularly in Spain and the Americas. The word "acequia" comes from the Arabic word "as-sāqiya," meaning "the water carrier." Acequias were first brought to the Americas by the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. They were used to irrigate agricultural land in the dry regions of the Southwest, including what is now New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California. The system was later adopted by the region's indigenous peoples, who modified and expanded the system to fit their own needs. Acequias played an essential role in the development of agriculture in the Southwest, allowing crops to be grown in areas that would otherwise be too dry to support them. The system also played an essential role in community building and social organization, as farmers came together to maintain and manage the acequias. Today, acequias remain a vital part of the agricultural landscape in the Southwest, and they are recognized for their cultural and ecological significance. Many communities have worked to preserve and restore the acequia system, which is seen as an essential part of their cultural heritage.

Some common vocabulary associated with acequias are...

• Parciantes—members who own water rights in an Acequia community.

• Mayordormos- manager of the acequias. Manages the infrastructure.  

Acequias in New Mexico

Acequias have a rich history and cultural significance in the land of enchantment dating back to the Spanish colonial era. In the late 16th century, Spanish settlers brought the knowledge and techniques of hydraulic engineering, which they used to design and construct the acequia systems. These systems were designed to transport water from rivers and streams to agricultural fields and orchards. Acequias played a critical role in the agricultural development of New Mexico, providing water for crops and orchards in an arid and semi-arid environment. They also helped sustain the traditional farming and cultural practices of the state's Hispanic communities, some of the earliest settlers in the area.

According to the state's Acequia Commission, there are close to 700 functioning acequias today in New Mexico. Acequias remain an essential part of New Mexico's cultural and agricultural heritage. They continue to provide water for farming while also symbolizing community cooperation and social justice. However, Acequias have the potential to mean more. Paula Garcia, an executive director of an Acequia in Mora and a farmer herself, says, "Acequias is a voice from the past, but they are also a voice for the future. The day-to-day water ethic and the day-to-day moral economy are really important for how we manage water for the future. It's a model of how to govern the commons."

Water Scarcity

It is common knowledge that the country and the world are facing water scarcity. The graphic below shows that New Mexico is the highest state under water scarcity at above 80%. On top of that, industry, agriculture, and municipalities are withdrawing at least 80% of available surface and groundwater each year. Thus, we have little leftover water to buffer in yearly dry spells. However, it is more than just New Mexico or the United States that is facing these issues. According to a WRI report, they identified 17 countries facing this level of extreme water stress. These include Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, the United Arab Emirates, San Marino, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Oman, and Botswana. However, it is essential to note that these countries are home to a quarter of the world's population. The world needs a solution to conserve water better, and the Drip drop dream Team is here to help, to start with our home, the land of enchantment.

The graphic above shows New Mexico uses 77% of its water resources for irrigated agriculture. However, according to the New Mexico Water Science Center's 2012 estimates, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico are ranked 48th, 49th, and 50th in the percentage of water per square foot. The state's total daily water usage is approximately 3,256.85 million gallons, of which 53 percent, or 1710 million gallons, is used for surface irrigation. However, out of these 1710 million gallons used in flood irrigation, 1001 million gallons are wasted due to runoff, leaving only 709 million gallons of water for plants. This means that significant amounts of water are being lost due to careless irrigation practices. However, we can change that. 

Product Design

As some of us grew up in New Mexico near farming communities, we see firsthand the pressing issue of water scarcity. Our design of a smart Acequia would help address the problem of water scarcity. In the past, Acequias have been managed by mayordomos and human observation. This method is time-consuming. We propose that a radar sensor be placed upriver to determine the water levels of the Acequia at any given time. This information would then transmit data to an app that all community members who access the Acequia (Parciantes) could be able to view. This technology would easily allow community members to see when they can expect to irrigate their farms. The app would also be able to store data on water levels of the Acequia from past years to track how the water level is fluctuating. As an Acequia community has many members that share the Acequia, implementing this system would be a shared cost that would allow each person only paying a minimal amount. This design would lead us into the future as the past meets the future as we tackle water management strategies. 

Why a Radar Sensor?

There are two types of water level measurement tools

·        Contact Water Level Sensors

·        Non-Contact Water Level Sensors

Our group decided to implement a non-contact level sensor as it would be more suitable for our project design as they require less maintenance than contact water level sensors. Although the weather can affect it, it cannot be damaged by objects flowing in the river. Installation is also made easier as strong currents, possible overflows, and edges of the inaccessible water basin no longer become a concern. However, it is essential to note that a bridge or structure needs to be present over the center of the river or acequia to mount the sensor on. In addition, a radar sensor would be the most effective non-contact level sensor as they are low-cost, to service and operate, and provide stable, long-term monitoring with high accuracy. 

A radar level sensor works by emitting high-frequency electromagnetic waves from an antenna toward the surface of the liquid in a container. When these waves strike the surface of the liquid, they are partially reflected toward the sensor. The radar sensor then calculates the time taken for the waves to return and uses this information to determine the liquid level in the container. The principle behind this process is known as time-domain reflectometry (TDR). The radar level sensor measures the time delay between the transmitted wave and the received echo, proportional to the distance between the sensor and the liquid level. By calculating the time taken for the waves to travel to and from the surface of the liquid, the radar sensor can accurately determine the level of the liquid in the container.

Several factors, including the dielectric constant of the liquid, the surface characteristics of the liquid, and the temperature and pressure within the container, influence the accuracy of the radar level sensor. Additionally, radar-level sensors can be designed to operate at different frequencies, each suited to different applications and environments. Overall, radar-level sensors were the most sensible choice as they are widely used in industrial applications and are known for their accuracy, reliability, and ability to function in harsh environments.

Product Implications and Looking Towards the Future 

Water Conservation 

The century-old technique of using acequias for farming stays close to tradition and can effectively combat water conservation. Although the New Mexico legislature has set up a New Mexico Acequia Association, the program only focuses on irrigation rights, not irrigation use. Our product would revolutionize irrigation use and significantly reduce water waste. Acequias can contain seepage ranging between one-third and one-half of the flow. However, this feature replenishes groundwater while fostering a rich wetland environment around each ditch. Since Acequias are designed to deliver water efficiently to crops and gardens while minimizing water waste, they are an efficient tool for water conservation. Acequias are often built with a gentle slope to slow the water flow and prevent erosion, which can also help the soil retain moisture.

In addition, Acequias promote the sharing of water resources among community members, which can help ensure that everyone has access to water for their agricultural needs and has the potential to create a more significant widespread discipline of conserving water. Several other studies suggest that irrigating with acequias extends the hay-growing season. Thus, boosting the number of cattle that can be grazed. Not only do Acequias positively affect farming, but it also preserves local ecosystems. Acequias often have an ecological function, providing habitat for fish and wildlife and supporting riparian vegetation. By keeping local ecosystems, acequias can also help maintain the watershed's overall health. Thus, Acequias reduce farm runoff by providing controlled water flow, retaining soil moisture, promoting plant health, and utilizing community management. By using this traditional irrigation system, farmers can increase their crop yields while minimizing the impact of their agricultural practices on the environment. 

A significant benefit, though much harder to quantify, is that the Acequias create communities that serve as stewards of the environment. Since acequias are managed by a community-elected board, which allows for local control over water management decisions, this can help ensure that water is used sustainably and fairly and that the needs of all community members are considered. 

Northern Youth Project

According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit promoting safe technology and media for children, teenagers spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes on their phones daily. Meanwhile, children ages 8 to 12 spend four hours and 44 minutes daily. The Northern Youth Project is a foundation in Northern New Mexico whose initiative is to "support the outcomes and opportunities for rural Northern New Mexico youth through hands-on art, agriculture, community service, and leadership projects that honor the past and look to the future. " (Northern Youth Project). One of their programs focuses on agriculture and traditional farming techniques, which includes that of an Acequia. On their website, they say that " they want to continue the positive traditions of our ancestors, by cultivating the land and sharing the bounty with the community through our Teen Cooking Classes, and annual events like our Salsa Contest, Garden Open House, and Harvest Dinner." (Northern Youth Project). Not only does our project work towards a better future and increasing water sustainability,  but it is also pairing with this initiative of bringing the youth into the future without forgetting their culture and past. As teens and young children spend so much time on electronics and more things are being brought into the 21st century, our smart acequia is perfect for reminding them of their roots and traditions. The smart acequia is not here to replace the past and tradition but to bring the past and future together to create a more sustainable future for New Mexico, the country, and hopefully even the world. There is no telling the limitations of this product. 

We can also advertise our product and its implications through social media. Not only would this make the public aware of our product, but it would also raise awareness of water scarcity and the importance of water conservation.

Let's Work for a Better Tomorrow Together!

Works Consulted

Agriculture, Gardening and the Culture of Northern New Mexico (northernyouthproject.org) 

Farming and water in New Mexico - New Mexico Mercury 

New Mexico Faces Some of the Most Extreme Water Stress in the World (businessinsider.com) 

New Mexico farmers manage scarce resource with centuries-old irrigation system (nationalgeographic.com)

Non-contact radar level measurement - VEGA

Radar Water Level Sensor|Reservoir-River-Lake Level Monitor (drurylandetheatre.com)

Sensors & Encoders - Industrial Sensors | AutomationDirect 

Tweens, Teens, and Phones: What Our 2019 Research Reveals | Common Sense Media 

Water Level Measurement, Sensors, Monitoring Applications (ysi.com)

Water Level Sensors: Everything You Need To Know (ourpcb.com)