The dry, parched land we call home is not necessarily a space one would think grows many crops, yet Eddy County grows alfalfa, cotton, and pecans.
Ranching has historically been big money around here. Combine that with our booming oil and gas economy, and you have a trifecta of need on the limited water supply available.
The proximity of Carlsbad to the Pecos River as well as Artesia’s proximity to the two aquifers that provide useful water help make this part of the desert viable for agricultural activities. Farming, ranching, and the oil and gas industry are the primary users (other than residents) of the area’s water resources. Water is life and essential for survival. The arid desert we call home can be inhospitable; therefore, using water wisely is an ideal course of action.
The Flume, located off of Westridge Road, is a primary provider of water for irrigating crops like pecan orchards and cotton in the La Huerta area of Carlsbad. The irrigation project started as a private enterprise by Charles B. Eddy and Pat Garrett and was sold to the government just before statehood. Originally formed in the 1880s as the Pecos Irrigation and Investment Company, it has held many names since and is currently managed by the Carlsbad Irrigation District.
“Carlsbad has the oldest water rights in New Mexico and the only storage rights in the Pecos Water Basin,” shared Coley Burgess, Manager for the Carlsbad Irrigation District (CID).
Crops in Carlsbad use surface water while crops in Artesia use ground water. “From Seven Rivers north to Roswell, crops are irrigated using the Artesian Aquifer,” Burgess said. “This used to be a free flowing aquifer, to the point you could poke a hole in the ground and water would come up,” he added.
“Carlsbad has brackish water, which is okay for some crops, but the Pecos River provides better water quality for the crops, while the aquifer in Artesia is better for those crops than the water from the Pecos River,” Burgess said. The Carlsbad Irrigation District (CID) manages irrigation processes here in southern Eddy County, while the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District (PVACD) manages irrigation in north Eddy County and Chavez County.
“The impact that industry and population growth has had on the demand for local water supplies cannot be dismissed. As a result, we cannot continue along the same path without adapting.
“Our local farmers and ranchers are traditionally good stewards of water. They must be to make their operations viable. They face challenges not only in availability and delivery but also politically. Utilizing innovations, adapting water-saving practices, and continuing to develop partnerships between agriculture and industry will be key. Every time we use water, we need to be aware that we impact someone else who uses water,” Wilkie said.
Providing water to the Pecos Valley has had a long and tumultuous history. Even so, communities thrive and life continues. With care and continued stewardship, it will continue to do so for years to come.
To learn more about the history of irrigation in our area, check out these resources: To learn more about the history of irrigation in our area, check out these resources:
- Ditches Across the Desert: Irrigation in the Lower Pecos Valley by Stephen Bogener
- http://cidistrict.com/
- https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/rmr/0/index.htm
- https://pvacd.com/
Article written by Michele Robertson and originally published in Focus Regional 2025 Winter edition.
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing "leave no trace" principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
