WATER! the #1 plant nutrient

Keyline Design and the Restoration Agriculture Water Management System

Restoration Agriculture Development Inc: Radpioneers.com

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Forest Agriculture Enterprises LLC: Forestag.com

Water For Every FarmP A Yeomans p2

Water For Every FarmP A Yeomans p2

Yeomans p 2

• I. DefinitionUsing ridges and furrows formed by tillage, planting and other farming operations to change the direction of runoff from directly downslope to around the hillslope (perpendicular to the field slope).

• II. PurposesThis practice may be applied as part of a conservation management system to achieve one or more of the following:To reduce sheet and rill erosion. To reduce transport of sediment, other solids,and the contaminants attached to them. To increase water infiltration.

• www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs143_026017.pdf

CONTOUR FARMING(Acre) Code 330 Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard

Yeomans p 39

(bonde msingi)

(Safu ya milima msingi)

(keypoint)

Source: mas humus

Source: Mas humus

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

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Some factors influencing Keyline/ water management design:

-Slope

-Soil Type

-Soil permeability

-Intended use

-equipmentDepth, type and structure of bedrock

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

permaculturenews.org/resources_files/KeylineArticle.pdf

Every property has a “Sweet Spot”…..

…the line where the most of that property’s water can be managed with the least amount of earthworks.

Photo source: Darren Doherty

Photo source: Darren Doherty

TERRACE(Feet) Code 600 Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard

l. Definition An earth embankment, or a combination ridge and channel, constructed across the field slope.

II. Purpose This practice is applied as part of a resource management system for one or more of the following purposes:.-Reduce soil erosion by reducing slope length. -Reduce sediment content in runoff water. -Retain runoff for moisture conservation. -Improve farmability.III.Conditions Where Practice Applies This practice applies where:-soil erosion by water is a problem, -there is a need to conserve water, -the soils and topography are such that terraces can be constructed and farmed with reasonable effort,-a suitable outlet can be provided, or -excess runoff is a problem.

• Catchment area X maximum rainfall event ever recorded = “safest design” swale + pond volume.

• The capacity of the swale and outlet system must be able to intercept and disperse this catastrophic event volume to avoid system failure.

• Swales in clay soils can be deeper with steeper sides.

• Swales in Sandy soils must be wider with gently sloping sides.

• Safest design volume is influenced by measured water infiltration rate, saturation point and soil type.

Source: Darren Dougherty

Source: Darren Dougherty

Source: Darren Dougherty

http://www.yeomansplow.com.au/yeomans-plows.htm

Water movement beforeKeyline Patterning & Terraces

Water movement After Keyline patterningTerraces & ponds