By News Editor And Partners • Dec 21, 2020 During the Rio Hondo acequia research, lines were placed in the Rio Hondo to measure water temperature. Many hours were spent measuring the relationship of the ground water, surface water and river flow in the Alcalde, Rio Hondo and El Rio acequia systems. An in-depth study of centuries-old community acequia systems in northern New Mexico reveals why they have been resilient. Since 2010, researchers from New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, and Sandia National Laboratory have studied hydrology and cultural aspects of the of El Rito, Rio Hondo and Alcalde acequia systems. “We wanted to understand the many facets involved in the operation of these systems and what contributes to their resiliency, not just the hydrology,” said Sam Fernald, professor in NMSU’s Department of Animal and Range Sciences. “I think we found out some of those, including the importance of the culture of the community.”