N.M. Code R. § 19.25.13.18
Except as required in the performance of the water master's duties to regulate the distribution of water from the various stream systems of the state to the points of diversion of ditches and irrigation systems entitled to water therefrom, these rules and regulations shall not be construed to affect the internal management of projects, including acequias or community ditches and other water delivery systems, in accordance with Section 72-9-2 NMSA, which provides for the distribution of water from the ditches and acequias according to local or community customs, rules and regulations that have been properly adopted. The state engineer's authority, and that of his water master, to regulate the diversion of water from the source to a ditch or acequia is unaffected by either Section 72-9-2 NMSA or this provision.
N.M. Code R. § 19.25.13.18