6 acre, Dryland - Starting from scratch - 10/15/17 05:16 PM
Howdy,
Can any of the experts please review the contour/topo map please point out any obvious wins to be had? Also what NOT to do what be super useful
We are looking for multiple small ponds to collect rainwater as capturing excess runoff from the swales in large rain events. Ponds will primarily serve as habitat and for irrigation in urgent time. There are often long periods of no rain and the ponds with liners could serve as storage for irrigation of trees/crops in such times Given this is arid/dryland we will probably need a shadenet to slow down evaporation as well. Ultimately there will be a structure (home) that should provide enough hard surface runoff for the day to day human use.
Water will be the priority on this site and the property will be zoned in Permaculture style primarily for a small market garden and small orchard. First few years the property will use hardy nitrogen fixing pioneer tree's to produce biomass and increase soil infiltration and recharge the water table with swales on contour. After a few years a majority of the property will be reforested with native hardy timber trees intercropped with beneficial perennials for a long term retirement income.
Average rainfall = 25 inches (high rainfall 40 inches)
Largest rain event = Usually not more than 4 inches in 24 hours
Area = 25851.18 sq mt / 2.42 Hectare
Please note, this is in rural South India. The resources especially information from official sources is very limited as well as the tech thats usually available in the western developed markets. Things are largely unregulated to there's no process of applying for permits etc. We will using a JCB 3dx for earth moving and a tractor on standby to haul around dirt etc.
Looking forward to youy responses
Ta,
A
Can any of the experts please review the contour/topo map please point out any obvious wins to be had? Also what NOT to do what be super useful
We are looking for multiple small ponds to collect rainwater as capturing excess runoff from the swales in large rain events. Ponds will primarily serve as habitat and for irrigation in urgent time. There are often long periods of no rain and the ponds with liners could serve as storage for irrigation of trees/crops in such times Given this is arid/dryland we will probably need a shadenet to slow down evaporation as well. Ultimately there will be a structure (home) that should provide enough hard surface runoff for the day to day human use.
Water will be the priority on this site and the property will be zoned in Permaculture style primarily for a small market garden and small orchard. First few years the property will use hardy nitrogen fixing pioneer tree's to produce biomass and increase soil infiltration and recharge the water table with swales on contour. After a few years a majority of the property will be reforested with native hardy timber trees intercropped with beneficial perennials for a long term retirement income.
Average rainfall = 25 inches (high rainfall 40 inches)
Largest rain event = Usually not more than 4 inches in 24 hours
Area = 25851.18 sq mt / 2.42 Hectare
Please note, this is in rural South India. The resources especially information from official sources is very limited as well as the tech thats usually available in the western developed markets. Things are largely unregulated to there's no process of applying for permits etc. We will using a JCB 3dx for earth moving and a tractor on standby to haul around dirt etc.
Looking forward to youy responses
Ta,
A
Description: View from small hillock outside the property (Looking North)