Hydraulic Crises due to Climatic Variability in the Valleys of Colonial Lima, 1691-1731

Gutiérrez M.H.M. · Anuario Colombiano de Historia Social y de la Cultura (2024) · DOI: 10.15446/achsc.v51n1.107298

Resumen

Objective: To explain the way in which the distribution of water in the Hispanic model implemented in 1614 in the valleys of Lima, overflowed at the end of the 17th century due to the climatic variability that caused a hydraulic crisis in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Methodology: The history of climate studies, among others, water disputes, and the main floods that destroyed the agricultural hydraulic infrastructure (irrigation canals, intakes and cutwaters) to differentiate them from the anthropic causes such as the manipulation of the water distribution. In order to do that, we analyze the destruction caused; which generate crisis and water insecurity in the valleys of Lima. Originality: The construction of climatic indicators related to the measurement of water flow is a subject little explored in the history of climate in Latin America. In particular, little has been studied about the role of floods as part of a more prolonged crisis in the agricultural hydraulic infrastructure sector called the hydraulic crisis. Conclusions: The hydraulic crisis in the valleys of Lima was the product of climatic variability, and caused a monopoly in the water distribution by the landowners who had the upper parts of the canal, additionally, the crisis was further aggravated by the lack of maintenance and the prolonged destruction of the hydraulic infrastructure.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos