A Summary of 25 Years of Research on Water Supplies of the Ancestral Pueblo People

A 25-year study reveals that the ancestral Pueblo people of Mesa Verde National Park ingeniously managed limited water resources through sophisticated reservoir systems. Researchers identified four mounded areas as ancient reservoirs, which required frequent dredging due to high sediment runoff—a testament to their resourcefulness and organizational skills. The investigation, conducted by a multidisciplinary team from Wright Water Engineers and the Wright Paleohydrological Institute, combined climate research, lab analyses, field surveys, and sediment layer analysis to uncover how these communities harvested and maintained water access in the arid Four Corners region between 750 and 1280 CE. The findings highlight their advanced understanding of water management in a challenging environment.

Wright, K. R. (2024). A Summary of 25 Years of Research on Water Supplies of the Ancestral Pueblo People. Water, 16(17), 2462. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172462