On Tue, 7 Nov 2017 14:33:57 -0700, Casa de los peregrinos
> wrote:
>On 11/7/2017 2:10 PM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>> On Tue, 7 Nov 2017 13:27:11 -0700, Casa de los peregrinos
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On 11/7/2017 11:42 AM, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>>>> snip
>>>>>
>>>> Keeping trees off of the river bank and streams saves a huge amount of
>>>> water. Obviously we can't remove all trees from the banks of
>>>> waterways but there are a lot of trash trees allowed to sprout and
>>>> grow because landowners are lazy. There is work being done in some
>>>> south western states to address this problem. Here, in my city,
>>>> workers are cutting down mature trees and saplings that have been
>>>> allowed to grow on the banks of canals. For us, canals are a purpose
>>>> built water delivery system for farmers out in the county. Too much
>>>> water was lost to trees that served no purpose.
>>>> Janet US
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> We have a major problem here, now being addressed at long last, with
>>> salt cedar (Tamarisk) along the banks of the Rio Grande.
>>>
>>> Sure it's great at stabilizing and halting erosion, but they are so
>>> water thirsty that the losses are intolerable.
>>>
>>> snip
>>>
>>>> Russian olive and tamarisk (salt cedar) are aggressive, invasive trees that infest river banks, use excessive water, compete with native species, and form dense stands prone to wildfire. Removal and management of these trees is essential to maintaining the health of the rivers and land in our district.
>>>>
>>>> San Juan SWCD projects have cleared over 3,000 acres of Russian olive and salt cedar in the past six years, and have chemically treated over 1,800 acres of resprouts. Through funding from NM State Forestry, US Forest Service, the State of New Mexico, and San Juan County, our projects have removed hazardous fuels for 110 private landowners, and have cleared firebreaks and improved river access for Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, San Juan County, Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area, Navajo Lake State Park, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Navajo Nation.
>>>
>>> We also have something we locally call "acequias" which indeed are just
>>> small canals used for irrigation.
>>>
>>> In ABQ proper there are many urban neighborhoods where people still farm
>>> small plots and rely on these and the ditch rider (Mayordomo) is still a
>>> respected and important figure in the community.
>>>
>>> It's all very ancient and very cool.
>>>
>>> Oh, and it works!
>>>
>>> But that spring brush hogging is a thankless job.
>>>
>>> A great read on the matter is:
>>>
>>> http://www.unmpress.com/books.php?ID=1161
>>>
>>>> Mayordomo: Chronicle of an Acequia in Northern New Mexico
>>>>
>>> snip
>> My son-in-law is working on the exact same project in NM.
>> Probably the same as you referenced. I don't mean physically, he is
>> working with the entities you mention as a researcher and
>> environmental oversight. My daughter sent me a book that discusses
>> the acequias and the land ownership around them and how much water
>> those trees steal each day. Fascinating
>> Janet US
>>
>
>Small world, eh?
>
>Tamarisk has been an absolute disaster since it was introduced here in
>the arid West and despite its pretty pink blossoms it has to go.
>
>I was tempted to mention "The Milagro Beanfield War" too...plenty of
>acequia action in that book and series.
>
>There's a PBS series on natural ecosystems I've been watching lately
>that really shows the proper interactions of native species of all kinds:
>
>http://www.clemson.edu/public/expeditions/
>
>The Trans Pecos episodes are compelling for showing the remnant sky
>islands specieation in what are now extremely geographically isolated
>ecosystems.
>
>Also the Catalina Island episodes were spot-on.
>
>I'd love to see this guy explore our "Malpais" (bad country) lava fields
>as well as southern Idaho's volcanic deserts.
>
I'll watch for that program.
You would be fascinated to visit our Craters of the Moon National
Park.
https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm
When you get to that part of the state, dynamite is necessary for
construction. It's been awhile since I've been to Craters of the
Moon. You don't want to go in the dead of summer. It is just too
darn hot. There are also lava tube caves for exploration over that
way. If you go to Craters of the Moon be sure to wear some good
walking shoes or boots. It would be easy to turn an ankle as the area
isn't all nice pathways like Yellowstone for instance. You get to
walk on sharp hardened lava.
I just picked up
> http://www.unmpress.com/books.php?ID=1161
at Amazon and had it sent to my Kindle. Thanks for the recommend.
Janet US