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Suppose having two water harvesting projects for two different purposes: To increase soil moisture and groundwater recharge, you want to slow down the runoff water. The slower it goes, the more likely it will soak into the soil. This is done through contour plowing, terracing and constructing and maintaining grass waterways that have as low a slope as possible. There is also a technique that was developed in Australia, called "keylining." That technique looks promising to me, but since it arose on a farm, and not some agricultural university, I have not seen any peer reviewed studies on it, only anecdotes from people who are sold on the idea.
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1 Comment posted on "What should be done on the soil surface to increase the efficiency of water harvesting?"
Soilguy on May 9th, 2011 at 2:16 pm #
To collect water in a pond, you can contour the land to direct runoff water (water running across the surface of the land) toward your pond. To increase soil moisture and groundwater recharge, you want to slow down the runoff water. The slower it goes, the more likely it will soak into the soil. This is done through contour plowing, terracing and constructing and maintaining grass waterways that have as low a slope as possible. There is also a technique that was developed in Australia, called "keylining." That technique looks promising to me, but since it arose on a farm, and not some agricultural university, I have not seen any peer reviewed studies on it, only anecdotes from people who are sold on the idea. Post a comment
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