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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.

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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!

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Gary Spangler's avatar

I appreciate your hard work, John.

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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

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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!

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Emmanuel Alagbe's avatar

Great post John. Thanks for sharing!

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Maia Duerr's avatar

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

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John Lovie's avatar

Thank you Maia!

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Jun 24, 2024Edited
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John Lovie's avatar

Graçias, amigo.

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