The history of water in Mexico is a narrative woven from respect, adaptation, and innovation—one that has evolved from ancestral times to the present day. Ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and Teotihuacanos understood the vital importance of managing this essential resource. They developed advanced techniques for their time, such as chinampas and terraced farming, enabling sustainable use of water for agriculture and community supply.

With the advent of the modern era, Mexico began constructing large-scale hydraulic infrastructure. During the Porfirio Díaz era, the country saw the creation of its first irrigation districts along rivers such as the Yaqui, Mayo, Nazas, and in the Mexicali Valley—many of them initially promoted by private entities. These systems were later expanded by the federal government, marking the beginning of an era of large-scale water projects. As early as 1550, the Yuriria Lagoon was dammed via the Tavamatacheo embankment, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, significant irrigation dams were built—such as El Saucillo in Aguascalientes (1730) and Ñadó in the State of Mexico (1800).

By the late 19th century, masonry gravity dams began to appear, including Belén in Guanajuato (1874) and El Peinado in Chihuahua (1891), which took advantage of technological advances of the time. In the early 20th century, Mexico expanded the scope of its hydraulic works, constructing dams such as Santa Cruz in Zacatecas (1901) and San José in San Luis Potosí (1905), aimed at both irrigation and water supply—pioneering projects that marked the beginning of improved urban and agricultural living conditions. In 1889, Batopilas, Chihuahua, saw the birth of Mexico’s first hydroelectric plant, with a capacity of 22 kilowatts. Two decades later, the Mexican Light and Power Company undertook projects such as the Tenango and Necaxa dams, which reached 31,500 kilowatts—ushering in large-scale clean energy generation.

The 20th century saw a boom in dam construction to meet the country’s growing agricultural, industrial, and energy needs. Projects such as Grijalva, Chicoasén, and La Angostura—built between the 1970s and 1980s—stood as icons of modernity. Designed not only to control rivers and generate electricity, they also reshaped landscapes and improved the lives of millions of Mexicans. However, over time, the challenges became evident: the flooding of fertile lands, displacement of communities, and impacts on local ecosystems highlighted the need for more responsible approaches.

From the 1970s onward, increasing environmental awareness began to challenge the development model centered on massive hydraulic infrastructure. The focus gradually shifted to more sustainable alternatives that balanced human needs with environmental preservation. Today, climate change, water scarcity, and energy demand push engineers and scientists to develop more efficient technologies. From small-scale hydroelectric plants to energy storage systems and ecosystem restoration projects, Mexico continues to innovate in the responsible management of its water resources.

The story of dams in Mexico is still being written. While the challenges ahead are more complex, these projects remain vital to national development. Yet now, their planning and operation must incorporate long-term impacts, with the goal of building a future in which water remains a living, sustainable, and accessible resource for all.