Ditch Restoration Ensures Equitable Water Access for Taos Locals

Water from the Rio Lucero was not being properly diverted through Taos’ Tenorio Ditch, causing substantial water loss and preventing equitable distribution to downstream users, including Taos Pueblo tribal members and local landowners. Seeing this problem affect their community for years, a group of neighboring landowners had the idea to restore the ditch and local acequia system. LOR’s funding helped hire skilled contractors to clear overgrown ditches, create new lateral channels, and install modern headgates and gated pipe at key diversion points. The restoration efforts will ensure efficient water flow for agricultural lands, buffalo pastures, wildlife habitat, and wetland ponds while honoring the water rights outlined in Taos Pueblo’s Abeyta Settlement.

This project is fiscally sponsored by Earth Land and Water Stewardship.