Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (N.M.)

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District was established in 1925 as a political subdivision of the state under the Conservancy Act of 1923. Its purpose is to provide and maintain river control and flood protection, improve drainage of seeped areas, furnish water storage, apply supplemental water for irrigation needs, and construct and maintain distribution facilities for irrigation waters. The geographic area served is from Cochiti in the north to San Marcial in the south and includes portions of Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, and Socorro counties. The Indian pueblos of Cochiti, Santa Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sandia, and Isleta are within the district. When the district was formed, there were 128,787 acres of irrigable land; by 1980, this figure was about 123,00 acres. The district originally was governed by a three member board of directors; the board since has been increased to five members.

From the description of Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District audio-visual materials, 1930s-1940s and 1980. (New Mexico State University). WorldCat record id: 70118754

There is evidence that the Middle Rio Grande was irrigated in prehistoric times. Agricultural communities diverted water from the river and continued to irrigate their lands during the Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial periods. By the end of the nineteenth century silting and aggravation of the river bed caused serious drainage problems which led to the deterioration of irrigated lands.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District was established in 1925 as a political subdivision of the state under the Conservancy Act of 1923. Its purpose is to provide and maintain river control and flood protection, improve drainage of seeped areas, furnish water storage, apply supplemental water for irrigation needs, and construct and maintain distribution facilities for irrigation waters. The geographic area served is from Cochiti in the north to San Marcial in the south and includes portions of Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia, and Socorro counties. The Indian pueblos of Cochiti, Santa Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sandia, and Isleta are within the district. When the district was formed, there were 128,787 acres of irrigable land; by 1980, this figure was about 123,000 acres. The district originally was governed by a three member board of directors; the board since has been increased to five members.

From the guide to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District records, 1925-ca. 1985, 1925-ca. 1985, 1925-1952, (New Mexico State University Library, Archives and Special Collections Department)