Thanks Tom, it's been a wild 8yr journey so far through epic fires and floods. Observation/action has been key...

Thank you for your kind feedback. I've enjoyed observing and interacting with the process of installing and utilising swales on slopes. As a result I've learnt alot about their benefits and limitations. Soon I will be installing permanent irrigation and in the long run will evolve the swales into level terraces (decreasing sun angle exposure for less evaporation). The limitations of swales becomes evident more so on steep country like mine that is north facing (SthH) and prone to dry cycles (SubTrop). With younger less established trees the berm actually dries out quick and the front of the berm angle increases proximity to sun exposure causing further evaporation. Lots to consider but they definitely play a part in the process of rehabilitation and building fertility. In my opinion level terraces are the ultimate evolution of landscape design for fertility maintenance and longevity on steep slopes...

Thanks for watching!

We are in a dry cycle now. It is getting harder to rely on consistent rainfall. We must apply methods to store enough water to get through these long dry cycles. I hear you...

Thank you for your kind feedback. The swales and water harvesting systems have seen some of the most extreme rain events it will most likely ever see and performed beyond expectation. Thoughtful design executed slowing and diligently has been key here on steep slopes.

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

Yeah thanks, the most the system has had to handle to date is 770mm in 24hr! It truly can handle unprecedented amounts of water, we are very pleased for this, as holding water on steep slope in the sub-tropics can be dangerous if not done concideratly...

Awesome, thank you for your surport!

It really is!

Thank you 🙌

Thanks, coming into the dry season now. Will post something for you shortly...

Thanks, will do!

Thank you! 👍

Thanks for watching, rain is a wonderful thing when you design a system that can use it to it's full potential. I've just scratched the surface of that potential...stay tuned for further evolutions.

I think it will not have liner...because its not meant for looks but to hold water

Since he’s using regenerative agriculture practices, it’ll be natural, with a high clay content on the bottom it acts like a seal which allows a slow seepage of water into the groundwater tablet.

Natural compacted clay ponds. When they wont seal naturally I'll impregnate pure bentonite clay powder 300mm deep and re-compact. Excavator helps here...

Some leak slowly and some hold. You're right, saturating the water table is key...

Design through observation and action is key. Accepting feedback evoloves outcomes ignoring feedback undermines them.

Great tip! I did exactly that. Thanks

Around 30.000 gallons

They could be - yes...Permaculture is a design system that incorporates and stacks multiple functions and features through the execution of intentional design to benefit the system as a whole (integration rather then segregation) to increase productivity while reducing land degradation and soil depletion. You could possibly NOT reach the full potential of these systems if you were NOT using Permacultre principles and pathways, absolutely!

When you have 2mtrs of rain within 7days it goes with out saying that there is too much water in the soil. It's like saying the ground is too dry in a drought. Good design can't hold back rain in floods no more than it can make it rain in drought. It's about mitigating the extremes and not suffering unnecessary loss or damage.