Re-engineering closing watersheds: the negotiated expansion of a dam-based irrigation system in Bolivia

The expansion of the Totora Khocha dam-based irrigation system in the Pucara watershed is a case of planned re-engineering of a closing watershed. This article shows how, when irrigation systems expand in space and across boundaries to capture new water, they also involve new claims by existing and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: López, R.R., Vincent, L., Rap, Edwin
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/58405
Descripción
Sumario:The expansion of the Totora Khocha dam-based irrigation system in the Pucara watershed is a case of planned re-engineering of a closing watershed. This article shows how, when irrigation systems expand in space and across boundaries to capture new water, they also involve new claims by existing and emergent users. This results in complex processes of design, contestation and negotiated redesign, where irrigation projects are being produced by the negotiated construction of water networks. Therefore, the design process in a closing watershed is better approached as a dynamic and negotiated process of engineering than as a prescriptive mode of network building.