Water Harvesting & Keyline Design — FarmPal
Capturing, storing, and distributing water across the landscape to maximize productivity and build drought resilience.
Time to Results
Immediate erosion control; 1-3 years for vegetation establishment; 5+ years for soil hydration improvement
Key Principles
- •Slow water down to allow infiltration rather than runoff
- •Spread water across the landscape from ridges to valleys
- •Store water in the soil (the largest reservoir) and ponds
- •Keyline pattern moves water from valleys to ridges
- •Every drop that lands on your property can be productive
Implementation
Site Analysis
1-3 months observation
- • Map topography and identify ridges, valleys, and contours
- • Observe water flow during rain events
- • Identify keypoints (where valleys flatten) and keylines
Earthworks
1-4 weeks construction
- • Install swales on contour for water infiltration
- • Create ponds at appropriate locations for storage
- • Build check dams in gullies to slow water
Planting & Integration
Ongoing
- • Plant water-loving species below swales
- • Establish groundcover to prevent erosion
- • Install drip irrigation from stored water if needed
Benefits
- •Dramatic increase in water infiltration and storage
- •Reduced erosion and nutrient runoff
- •Extended growing season through soil moisture retention
- •Aquifer recharge
- •Reduced irrigation needs
How to Measure
Water infiltration rate (before and after)
Pond water levels through dry season
Soil moisture at depth during drought
Reduction in irrigation needs
Erosion reduction observations