ABQ Times

Bernalillo County is set to mark the arrival of the season's first acequia waters with the 5th Annual Primera Agua celebration on Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place at the northwest corner of Central and Sunset, located at 3901 Central Ave NW.

The function is organized by the Center for Social Sustainable Systems (CESOSS) and the South Valley Regional Association of Acequias, in collaboration with Bernalillo County Open Space, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, the American Friends Service Committee, and ACCESS Enrichment Program. These organizations aim to highlight the cultural and ecological importance of acequias in the Middle Rio Grande region.

Activities for the day will feature an acequia blessing, ceremonial dance, and songs that honor the waters crucial to the community, agriculture, and ecosystems. Primera Agua is a free event, inviting the public to participate. Attendees are encouraged to bring water containers and to join in the celebration of the water sources that nourish fields and neighborhoods.

A notable effort began in 2020 when the City of Albuquerque, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority collaborated to improve the site at the Acequia Madre's headwaters, where the celebration occurs. This site holds both cultural and hydrological significance. In 2021, through a public-led process facilitated by Sites Southwest, a master plan was crafted to embody community vision and steer site enhancements. Design and engineering for infrastructure components such as parking, access points, and trails are complete. The forthcoming phase will introduce educational and interactive elements, including shaded spots, signage, and gathering areas. Bernalillo County Open Space expressed pride in its support for this project, aiming to foster connections between people, the land, and water.