Aqueduct Rebuild Preserves Water Access for Taos Farmers

Many Taos farmers and ranchers rely on the Ponce de Leon Acequia to deliver irrigation water to their fields. Over time, the system’s 1970s-era aqueducts have deteriorated and can no longer reliably convey water across deep arroyos. Water losses, frequent repairs, and aging structures now limit consistent water delivery to downstream properties, putting agricultural livelihoods and historic acequia practices at risk.

To help address these infrastructure challenges, members of the acequia community worked with Earth Land and Water Stewardship to develop a cost-effective, community-led solution and reached out to LOR for help to bring it to life. Their idea was to rebuild three critical aqueduct structures using a combination of skilled labor, volunteers, and private contributions rather than hiring a general contractor—making the project more financially feasible while strengthening local ownership.

With support from LOR, Earth Land and Water Stewardship will purchase materials and hire skilled labor to rebuild the main 140-foot aqueduct and two 20-foot upper aqueducts, along with repairs to the main diversion headgate. Parciantes will contribute labor and materials, with the remaining costs covered through the Acequia Madre fund. The rebuilt structures will restore reliable water delivery to downstream properties before the 2026 irrigation season, supporting uninterrupted agricultural production, reducing water loss, and preserving a community-managed irrigation system for future generations.