Why might a farm lose a large portion of the water it receives?
How to Retain Water on a Farm Without Simply Storing It
to slow down the flow of water, distribute it, and allow it to infiltrate.
From there, storage systems can be added as needed.
Before Retaining Water on a Farm: Understanding How Water Moves
Before carrying out earthwork or building infrastructure, it is essential to understand the hydrological functioning of the property. No two plots of land are exactly alike.
Slope, aspect, soil composition, vegetation, roads, buildings, compacted areas, and natural accumulation points completely alter the flow of water.
A hydrological analysis can examine issues such as where the main runoff areas are located, which areas retain moisture, where erosion begins, which paths are unintentionally channeling water, or which locations offer the best conditions for promoting infiltration.
This preliminary phase is especially important because an intervention carried out in the wrong place can shift the problem to another area of the property.
Working Along Contour Lines
One of the key tools for retaining water on a farm is understanding contour lines. A contour line connects points that are at exactly the same elevation.
When certain measures are implemented along these lines, it is possible to slow the flow of water and distribute it laterally across the terrain rather than allowing it to rush rapidly downhill. This principle can be applied to various landscape infiltration and restoration systems.
The goal is not to completely block the water, but to give it more time to seep into the ground.
Infiltration ditches or swales
Infiltration ditches, also known as swales, are one of the best-known techniques in hydrological design and permaculture. They consist of shallow depressions that roughly follow the contour lines.
When it rains, these structures intercept some of the runoff and slow it down. The water remains temporarily in the ditch and can slowly seep into the ground. The excavated soil can be used in certain configurations to form a small ridge where vegetation is later planted. However, not all farms need swales.
Their design depends on factors such as slope, soil type, rainfall intensity, and the volume of water that can reach each point. For this reason, they should be viewed as just one more tool within a comprehensive hydrological strategy, rather than as a universal solution.
Make use of existing roads and other infrastructure
Roads are one of the factors that can most significantly alter a farm’s hydrology. A compacted surface absorbs less water and can quickly become a runoff channel. A poorly designed road can concentrate large amounts of water and cause erosion along its sides or at specific discharge points.
But it can also become an opportunity.
With proper design, it is possible to collect some of the water flowing over these surfaces, direct it toward infiltration areas, or distribute it to areas where it is beneficial. The same applies to roofs, patios, and other impervious surfaces. Instead of allowing water to quickly leave the property, it can be integrated into the overall water management strategy.
Water reservoirs and storage points
On certain farms, it may be beneficial to build ponds or other storage systems. These structures help conserve water for irrigation, livestock, biodiversity, or various productive uses. However, deciding where to locate a pond should not depend solely on finding the lowest point on the property.
It is necessary to study where the water will come from, what the catchment area is, how much water can be stored, what the soil characteristics are, and how the system will function during periods of heavy rain. In addition, the ponds can be part of a larger network in which water gradually passes through different components before continuing on its way.
In this way, a single rainfall can create multiple opportunities for infiltration and utilization.
Hydrological Consulting - Plan Before Taking Action
To effectively retain water on a farm, a hydrological consultation allows for an analysis of the land as a complete system and the development of strategies tailored to its characteristics. The study can identify the main sources and pathways of water, areas of accumulation, runoff and erosion problems, opportunities for infiltration, and potential locations for implementing various measures.
Based on that assessment, solutions such as infiltration ditches, small retention structures, the use of existing roads, revegetation, ponds, or specific strategies to improve the soil can be considered.
The goal is not to build as much infrastructure as possible, but to determine what the site actually needs and where it makes sense to take action.
Turning Rain into a Resource to Regenerate the Farm
Effective water management can gradually transform a piece of land.
When we manage to slow runoff, increase infiltration, and protect the soil, each rainfall event remains on the farm longer. The result can be greater available moisture, less erosion, healthier soils, and vegetation that has better conditions for growth.
If you want to retain water on a property where rainfall drains away quickly, where there are erosion problems, or where you need to make better use of rainfall, studying the site’s hydrological behavior first allows you to design solutions tailored to the location. At La Casa Integral, our consulting and hydrological design services take a holistic approach to water management, considering the entire site to develop strategies that help make the most of this resource and gradually regenerate the landscape.