Thank you for your kind feedback. I've enjoyed observing and interacting with the process of installing and utilising swales on slopes. As a result I've learnt alot about their benefits and limitations. Soon I will be installing permanent irrigation and in the long run will evolve the swales into level terraces (decreasing sun angle exposure for less evaporation). The limitations of swales becomes evident more so on steep country like mine that is north facing (SthH) and prone to dry cycles (SubTrop). With younger less established trees the berm actually dries out quick and the front of the berm angle increases proximity to sun exposure causing further evaporation. Lots to consider but they definitely play a part in the process of rehabilitation and building fertility. In my opinion level terraces are the ultimate evolution of landscape design for fertility maintenance and longevity on steep slopes...
What a fantastic video! Showing the earthworks in action capturing and slowing the rain as it cascades from level to level of the swales. I live on a slope, this is inspiring.
Thank you for your kind feedback. The swales and water harvesting systems have seen some of the most extreme rain events it will most likely ever see and performed beyond expectation. Thoughtful design executed slowing and diligently has been key here on steep slopes.
I would be ecstatic with this much rainfall. Over the past 5years or rainfall totals have plummeted. My creek has completely dried up. We only had about 2 hours of light rain all summer long here in Central Texas. Great video.
We are in a dry cycle now. It is getting harder to rely on consistent rainfall. We must apply methods to store enough water to get through these long dry cycles. I hear you...
Yeah thanks, the most the system has had to handle to date is 770mm in 24hr! It truly can handle unprecedented amounts of water, we are very pleased for this, as holding water on steep slope in the sub-tropics can be dangerous if not done concideratly...
I just 'found' your channel this morning and really enjoyed, and better yet - learned a bit more. Thank you. Looking forward to another video of your works.
Since he’s using regenerative agriculture practices, it’ll be natural, with a high clay content on the bottom it acts like a seal which allows a slow seepage of water into the groundwater tablet.
Natural compacted clay ponds. When they wont seal naturally I'll impregnate pure bentonite clay powder 300mm deep and re-compact. Excavator helps here...
Thanks for watching, rain is a wonderful thing when you design a system that can use it to it's full potential. I've just scratched the surface of that potential...stay tuned for further evolutions.
They could be - yes...Permaculture is a design system that incorporates and stacks multiple functions and features through the execution of intentional design to benefit the system as a whole (integration rather then segregation) to increase productivity while reducing land degradation and soil depletion. You could possibly NOT reach the full potential of these systems if you were NOT using Permacultre principles and pathways, absolutely!
One practice that I'd do would be to add lots of material to the top of that dam wall. Like sticks, straw, mulch of some kind. Then eventually add some gravel, then clay, then mulch 😁👩🌾 use that path way as an opportunity to build soil!
I love the dog running around 🐶
After having watched swale videos for years, this is one the tidiest, practical and most esthetically pleasing examples i
Thank you for your kind feedback. I've enjoyed observing and interacting with the process of installing and utilising swales on slopes. As a result I've learnt alot about their benefits and limitations. Soon I will be installing permanent irrigation and in the long run will evolve the swales into level terraces (decreasing sun angle exposure for less evaporation). The limitations of swales becomes evident more so on steep country like mine that is north facing (SthH) and prone to dry cycles (SubTrop). With younger less established trees the berm actually dries out quick and the front of the berm angle increases proximity to sun exposure causing further evaporation.
Lots to consider but they definitely play a part in the process of rehabilitation and building fertility. In my opinion level terraces are the ultimate evolution of landscape design for fertility maintenance and longevity on steep slopes...
Your little dog sure is having fun! Thank you for your explanation of swales & ponds. Makes so much sense now.
Thanks for watching!
This is the best system I’ve seen on RUclips I’d seriously love to learn how to do this
Thanks Tom, it's been a wild 8yr journey so far through epic fires and floods. Observation/action has been key...
What a fantastic video! Showing the earthworks in action capturing and slowing the rain as it cascades from level to level of the swales. I live on a slope, this is inspiring.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks
Beautiful system. Very nice to see water filling everything without any overflow damage. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kind feedback. The swales and water harvesting systems have seen some of the most extreme rain events it will most likely ever see and performed beyond expectation. Thoughtful design executed slowing and diligently has been key here on steep slopes.
I would be ecstatic with this much rainfall. Over the past 5years or rainfall totals have plummeted. My creek has completely dried up. We only had about 2 hours of light rain all summer long here in Central Texas. Great video.
We are in a dry cycle now. It is getting harder to rely on consistent rainfall. We must apply methods to store enough water to get through these long dry cycles. I hear you...
awesome looking site, water was moving alright.. love seeing a system vs large rain event. cheers!!
Yeah thanks, the most the system has had to handle to date is 770mm in 24hr! It truly can handle unprecedented amounts of water, we are very pleased for this, as holding water on steep slope in the sub-tropics can be dangerous if not done concideratly...
Dude, that's nutty precipitation!
Send some of that rain to Western Canada!
You have done a very good job. Please post regular updates.
I just 'found' your channel this morning and really enjoyed, and better yet - learned a bit more. Thank you.
Looking forward to another video of your works.
Awesome, thank you for your surport!
This is awesome Adam, lovely work 🙏
Thank you 🙌
Great job moving the water around.
My main question is that how you built the pond, is it natural or it has plastic liner?
I think it will not have liner...because its not meant for looks but to hold water
Since he’s using regenerative agriculture practices, it’ll be natural, with a high clay content on the bottom it acts like a seal which allows a slow seepage of water into the groundwater tablet.
Natural compacted clay ponds. When they wont seal naturally I'll impregnate pure bentonite clay powder 300mm deep and re-compact. Excavator helps here...
Some leak slowly and some hold. You're right, saturating the water table is key...
Your pond is a percolation pond I assume? Very effective swales. I have similar swales in my property.
Great system. Looks amazing.
It really is!
can't wait for the next update! Would also be interested in seeing the land while it has been dry for a few weeks
Thanks, coming into the dry season now. Will post something for you shortly...
Progress is looking good
More please!
Location?
Beautiful work
beautiful setup 👍 great work
Thank you! 👍
beautiful
Same here in Wollongong, NSW getting hammered by the rain! Our little 18,000 litre rain tank is full and our entire half an acre block is saturated.
Thanks for watching, rain is a wonderful thing when you design a system that can use it to it's full potential. I've just scratched the surface of that potential...stay tuned for further evolutions.
Yea the rain was also down here in Brisbane and the sadness of the homes gone with in a snap of a finger
Design through observation and action is key. Accepting feedback evoloves outcomes ignoring feedback undermines them.
So, if I build Swales and rain catchments are they different from permaculture Swales and catchments?
They could be - yes...Permaculture is a design system that incorporates and stacks multiple functions and features through the execution of intentional design to benefit the system as a whole (integration rather then segregation) to increase productivity while reducing land degradation and soil depletion. You could possibly NOT reach the full potential of these systems if you were NOT using Permacultre principles and pathways, absolutely!
Masyallah Keren❤
That’s a lot of rainfall, I’m building a swale between my guava, Zapote tree and the mini forest my neighbor has.
what would be size of pond which you are referring to as to hold 100,000 ltrs of water?
Around 30.000 gallons
One practice that I'd do would be to add lots of material to the top of that dam wall. Like sticks, straw, mulch of some kind. Then eventually add some gravel, then clay, then mulch 😁👩🌾 use that path way as an opportunity to build soil!
Great tip! I did exactly that. Thanks