In the spring, year after year, parciantes (landowners with water rights) stand in a dry acequia (community irrigation ditch). They walk the ditch with their selected tools clearing debris and obstructions and shoring up the banks. It is their duty to make sure they and their vecinos (neighbors) have enough water for the growing season.

After a dry winter or a heavy snowfall, it is always a welcome sight to see the first trickle out of the compuerta (head gate) of the Acequia Madre race downstream.