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The Acequia Madre is arguably the oldest surviving structure in Las Cruces; built by hand sometime around the settlement of Las Cruces in 1849. In addition to providing enough water flow to power two grist mills, the "mother ditch" guided the waters of the Rio Grande to feed the area's farms and public gardens, and was essential to the town's survival.The Acequia Madre still follows its original path through town, though most of it now is directed underground through pipes.
