The Permaculture Earthworks Handbook : How to Design and Build Swales, Dams, Ponds, and Other Water Harvesting Systems

Maximize your water harvesting potential with efficient, cost-effective earthworks In the face of drought and desertification, well-designed, water harvesting earthworks such as swales, ponds, and dams are the most effective way to channel water into productive use. The result can be increased food production, higher groundwater levels, reduced irrigation needs, and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Yet, due to a lack of knowledge, designers, and landowners often build earthworks that are costly, inappropriately sized and sited, or even dangerous. The Permaculture Earthworks Handbook is the first dedicated, detailed guide to the proper design and construction of water harvesting earthworks. It covers the function, design, and construction methods for nine main types of water harvesting earthworks across a full range of climates. Coverage includes: Swales, ponds, dams, hugelkultur, net-and-pan systems, spate irrigation, and more Cost versus benefit of different earthworks Assessing site needs and suitability Soil types and hydrology Designing for maximum efficiency and lowest cost Risk assessment and safe construction Stacking functions and integrating earthworks into a design This practical handbook is the essential resource for permaculture designers, teachers and students, landowners, farmers, homesteaders, landscape architects, and others involved in maximizing the water harvesting potential of any landscape at the lowest cost and impact. Douglas Barnes is a permaculture designer trained in Australia by Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton. He has designed and built earthworks in North America, Japan, and Andra Pradesh, India. He lives in Tweed, Ontario in a passive solar house he designed and built, and he blogs at permaculturerelections.com. Introduction 1. The State of Water The Colorado The Aral Talupula Worldwide Spread of deserts War and conflict Where there is hope Just add water! References 2. A Look at the Past Petra References 3. How Water Moves in the Environment The hydrological cycle The path of water Hydrology 101 The layout of landscapes References 4. Designing for the Whole Environment Permaculture and sustainability The design process Permaculture strategies Source to sink Reading the land The potential for overharvesting Permitting and legal restrictions Working with crews References 5. Elements of Design and Implementation Rain volumes Climate effects Temperate climates Tropical climates Coral atolls Drylands Decoupling catchments The path of water Soil Slope stability Finding contour Laser level Farmer's level Builder's level Water level A-Frame LIDAR Mapping Determining slope Earthmoving machines Types of machines Bulldozers Excavators Loaders Backhoes Compactors Safety Topsoil and erosion References 6. Water Storage Techniques Ponds Cisterns Dams References 7. Interception Techniques Swales Case Study: The Green Tree Foundation swales project Bench terraces Land imprinters Trees Spate irrigation Diversion drains References 8. Applying Permaculture Strategies Goal setting, planning, adjusting Zone planning Sector planning Stacking functions and functional connectivity Variations in structure and shape Flow Efficiency Where to start Case Study: Circle Organic ridge point dam References 9. Cautions The dynamics of slides The role of water Sensitive clays Landslide triggers Post-slide treatment What went wrong at Aberfan? References Appendices 1. Calculating Areas and Volumes 2. Calculating Runoff Volumes 3. Finding Slopes and Heights 4. Swale Spacing 5. Terracing 6. Costing Earthworks Index About the Author About New Society Publishers

In the face of drought and desertification, well-designed, water harvesting earthworks such as swales, ponds, and dams are the most effective way to channel water into productive use. The result can be increased food production, higher groundwater levels, reduced irrigation needs, and enhanced ecosystem resilience.

Yet, due to a lack of knowledge, designers, and landowners often build earthworks that are costly, inappropriately sized and sited, or even dangerous.> The Permaculture Earthworks Handbook is the first dedicated, detailed guide to the proper design and construction of water harvesting earthworks. It covers the function, design, and construction methods for nine main types of water harvesting earthworks across a full range of climates.

Coverage includes:

• Swales, ponds, dams, hugelkultur, net-and-pan systems, spate irrigation, and more
• Cost versus benefit of different earthworks
• Assessing site needs and suitability
• Soil types and hydrology
• Designing for maximum efficiency and lowest cost
• Risk assessment and safe construction
• Stacking functions and integrating earthworks into a design

This practical handbook is the essential resource for permaculture designers, teachers and students, landowners, farmers, homesteaders, landscape architects, and others involved in maximizing the water harvesting potential of any landscape at the lowest cost and impact.

Douglas Barnes is a permaculture designer trained in Australia by Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton. He has designed and built earthworks in North America, Japan, and Andra Pradesh, India. He lives in Tweed, Ontario in a passive solar house he designed and built, and he blogs at permaculturerelections.com.

"In the face of drought and desertification, well-designed, water harvesting earthworks such as swales, ponds, and dams are the most effective way to channel water into productive use. The permaculture earthworks handbook is the first dedicated, detailed guide to the proper design and construction of water harvesting earthworks. It covers the function, design, and construction methods for nine main types of water harvesting earthworks across a full range of climates. This practical handbook is the essential resource for permaculture designers, teachers and students, landowners, farmers, homesteaders, landscape architects, and others involved in maximizing the water harvesting potential of any landscape at the lowest cost and impact."--Page 4 de la couverture Front Cover 1 Praise 2 Title Page 6 Rights Page 7 Dedication 10 Contents 10 Introduction 14 Chapter 1: The State of Water 16 Chapter 2: A Look at the Past 24 Chapter 3: How Water Moves in the Environment 28 Chapter 4: Designing for the Whole Environment 44 Chapter 5: Elements of Design and Inspiration 56 Chapter 6: Water Storage Techniques 76 Chapter 7: Interception Techniques 100 Chapter 8: Applying Permaculture Strategies 134 Chapter 9: Cautions 150 Appendices 160 Index 184 About the Author 192 About New Society Publishers 193 A Guide to Responsible Digital Reading 194 "The Permaculture Earthworks Handbook covers the functions and appropriate siting, design, and construction of nine types of earthworks, including swales, dams, ponds, and hügelkultur beds, to maximize water availability in any climate. It's an essential practical guide for landscape designers, permaculturists, and landowners seeking to maximize food production and ecosystem resiliency at the lowest cost and impact."-- Provided by publisher