Reconstructing Ancient Hohokam Irrigation Systems in the Middle Gila River Valley, Arizona, United States of America

Title

Reconstructing Ancient Hohokam Irrigation Systems in the Middle Gila River Valley, Arizona, United States of America

 Author

Zhu, T. (TU Delft Water Resources)
Woodson, Kyle C. (Gila River Indian Community)
Ertsen, M.W. (TU Delft Water Resources) ORCID 0000-0001-7622-253X

 Date

2018

 Abstract

We explore the concept of scales to examine emerging irrigation realities, i.e., connecting more agents within larger spaces - relates to the complexity of irrigation systems. Modern hydraulic models allow the inclusion of emerging multi-scale issues over time, including social issues related to different spatial and temporal scales. We show that the time needed to manage irrigation efficiently relates to the size of a system. By reconstructing ancient Hohokam irrigation systems in Arizona, we identify how longer-term extension of spatial scales created management problems beyond the scope of available technology. This approach allows greater understanding of how stresses in daily irrigation management may have impacted longer-term societal stability.

 Subject

Hohokam
Middle Gila River
Arizona
Irrigation management
modelling
agency
levels of complexity

 To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:97442e3c-e63f-4edd-981c-30ea02f7260b

 DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-018-0023-x

 ISSN

0300-7839

 Source

Human Ecology, 46 (5), 735-746

 Part of collection

Institutional Repository

 Document type

journal article

 Rights

© 2018 T. Zhu, Kyle C. Woodson, M.W. Ertsen
Files
PDF 10.1007_s10745_018_0023_x.pdf 2.7 MB
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