Repair a leaking headgate on an invited Española acequia

A headgate that won't seal wastes the acequia's precious allocation and shorts every field downstream — and many Española gates are decades-old improvisations of plywood and stone. Rebuilding a small gate with the commission's blessing puts real water back into the system in a drought-strapped valley. Standard: NM Acequia Association infrastructure practice; NRCS irrigation structure standards; SDG 6. Proof: Before/after gate photos + seated-gate test Method (NM Acequia Association infrastructure practice; NRCS irrigation structure standards; SDG 6.): 1. Assess the failing gate with the mayordomo while the ditch is dry. 2. Remove the worn gate board or panel and clean the frame seat. 3. Fit and seal a new gate board or drop-in panel, packing gaps with clay or gasket material. 4. Test the gate slides and seats correctly and mark its open/closed positions. 5. Photograph the repair before and after with date and GPS. Done when: Before/after gate photos + seated-gate test

Where

Invited acequia headgate near La Joya area, Española, NM 87532

Pay

$380 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after gate photos + seated-gate test

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-02

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: EPA dry-weather / AMD field screening

Bring

• GPS phone
• pH meter or strips
• conductivity meter
• ammonia + iron test kit as specified
• surfactant screen if specified
• gloves
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the outfall/reach; record GPS; photograph it, capturing any visible flow or staining.
2. 2. Note whether flow is present in dry weather (yes/no).
3. 3. Measure and record pH, conductivity, and each specified analyte per kit instructions.
4. 4. Log any color, odor, floc, or aquatic-life observation.
5. 5. Enter all readings with units, GPS, time, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dry-weather flow present with elevated conductivity/ammonia/surfactants -> flag suspected illicit discharge for the responsible agency.
• pH < 6 with visible iron floc -> tag suspected acid mine drainage; recommend metals lab panel.

What counts as done

• pH + conductivity recorded with units
• Each specified analyte recorded with a value
• Dry-weather flow present? recorded yes/no
• GPS waypoint + timestamped photo

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.