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Freya Rohn's avatar

Such fascinating history, how water has been claimed, governed, dammed, distributed. I recently learned of the stair step wells/cisterns that were built and kept by indigenous peoples in the southwest--such ancient systems that our current ones are built on.

John Lovie's avatar

Yes! The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in the Coachella Valley dug some of those - around the place now known as Indian Wells!

Gary Spangler's avatar

I appreciate your hard work, John.

Antonia Malchik's avatar

Fascinating, John. Thank you for sharing more of Elinor Ostrom's work -- these commons systems have a lot of longevity and strength in them! And interestingly enough, another writer on Substack just sent me something she wrote about the acequias: https://www.ouruncertainfuture.com/p/acequia-commons-and-the-old-timey?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=dax8a&triedRedirect=true

John Lovie's avatar

Thanks Nia, for your kind words and for the link to @Johanna DeBiase’s post on acequias.

In 2001, my spouse and I hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc. Part of the route is along the Bisse du Trient. A bisse is essentially a Swiss acequia!

Emmanuel Alagbe's avatar

Great post John. Thanks for sharing!

Maia Duerr's avatar

Nice research, John! Thank you for sharing the efficiency and joy of acequias with your readers.

John Lovie's avatar

Thank you Maia!

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Jun 24, 2024Edited
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John Lovie's avatar

Graçias, amigo.