About 100 years ago this area did not have a lot of Junipers it was all grassland, because of over grazing by ranchers with cattle and then lack of restoration from the Buffalo (who were in this area originally properly grazing) it changed the landscape, along with loss of the beaver, who would damn up seasonal washes. He's actually restoring it to what it once was. Though it may seem strange I would say introduce some cattle at some point, obviously control grazing, but they'll help bring back native grasses and feed the soil. Those native grasses will help retain the water in the ground. Grazing if done correctly can make a huge difference.

Might I make a suggestion ? You can see that any "leak" in your walls tends to funnel your sediment out. You want the water to spread and run over the top or around the edges of the dam. Try layering your cut juniper branches among your rocks to create a "net". The needles will plug up holes in the rock wall and catch more silt. Will also create mulch, compost over time and improve your soil. In fact, the branches can be used to create dams if rocks are used to hold them in place, saving amount of heavy rocks you have to move. The height of the walls is not as important as the thickness. Small rocks, gravel can be used to plug holes and hold more water. Love what you are doing there ! Also research "sand dams" where water is held underground in sand that accumulates.

We call the "rock dam wall things", Leaky weirs in Australia, Long history of them from our Indigenous population.

Some ranchers in Central and Eastern Oregon removed the juniper trees around springs that had dried up, and eventually found their way back to the surface and running again. They really do such up a lot of water i think your going to be very surprised how your land reacts with the absence of junipers

One thing to think about, too, is that your one-rock dams should be two times wider at the base than they are tall. This creates a pyramidal structure that's strong and will resist being pushed through by the heavy flows. On the downhill side, you want to create an 'apron' of smaller rocks so that water cascading over the top of the dam doesn't tumble and scour away the soil, undermining your structure. You can see the benefits of this in your second dam where the water flow was able to push through the underside of the dam, creating that deep channel. If you'd used the smaller rocks all around that area to create a ramp-like construction fore and aft of the main ridge, the water would have been broken up and lost energy rather than being able to focus and push its way through. A good rake or grub hoe used to scrape up the small pebbles around the dam site will make piling them up on the faces of the dam a lot easier. In the end, it's about experimenting and learning from others. There are a ton of videos on KZfaq about making "leaky weirs", "One Rock Dams", "Beaver Dam Analogs" and the like. You have all the resources you could want on your site, so check out a few videos and see how others have successfully built theirs. No need to reinvent the wheel.

In 1957 my father bought 5 acres of land that was bare, with 6 ft deep gulches from the water running into a stock pond. It got fenced so the cattle could not get get in. Cut junipers were placed in the gulches to slow the water and catch the sediment. More junipers were added as the julches filled up. Today 65 years later that land is all grass, no gulches and the stock pond is gone replaced by a gentle slope into a depression. Northern AZ..

Nice work! Can I suggest one thing? If you girdle the junipers by cutting a ring in their bark through their sapwood and leave them standing in place rather than removing them, you can gain the benefit of the shade that the dead snag tree will produce. This shade and the body of the tree will reduce solar and wind exposure, which will both reduce evaporation and desication of your land while reducing the erosive force of monsoon rains by buffering the impact. In addition, the shade can allow you to nurse other less thirsty or more beneficial trees or shrubs that you prefer to transition in the place of the junipers, and it gives birds and insects a place to perch which provides free fertilizer. After another tree or shrub has gained a foothold in it's nursery, then remove the juniper snag. Just a thought. Great to see your project.

You can use the wood and branches from those junipers you're planning to cut down to make leaky weirs as well, something similar to the way beavers make their dams. It's useful material for that silt catching, and if you have pieces long enough to anchor into the sides of a stream bed all the better.

You’re catching valuable topsoil with the rock berm method. It won’t be long before you notice a big difference. I use to have a homemade wooden sled that I used behind my 4 wheeler. Kept me from having to lift the larger rocks so high .

looks great! you mentioned swells, also remember to plant useful plants in the swells fruit trees and berry bushes are always a good choice

I admire what you are doing more than I can say. I think about the times before the beavers were wiped out on so much of the land where you live. Grasslands and wetlands were abundant. Today, it is you doing the beavers' work. That makes you the new keystone species in charge. I wish you tremendous success. I suggest that you incorporate those cut-down trees into your rock dams to help provide structure and to filter silt from the flow. I am soooo impressed!

You can see grass, scrubs etc all greener & taller behind and beside your rock walls. Nice to see immediate results of all your hard work. Interesting video & job well done so far.

Hello Brian and Sierra water 💦 yes 💧😉

When we build these water slowing walls, one thing we do that helps a lot is that we add a layer of straw right against the rocks, and then cover that straw in a thick layer of sand (clay if you have it). It mixes together and fills in all the cracks in the wall and retains water a bit better.

If I could make a suggestion on your rock dams - do more little ones rather than a few big ones. Sure, bigger ones would individually hold back more water but more little ones would (in my opinion) prove better at slowing a greater volume overall. Even a wall of one rock high would work. The greater the amount held by larger individual dams, the more likely it is that the water would break through and erode or go round the sides of the dam and erode.

I love a rainy day. Way to go Brian . Rocks everywhere ya look out there. Sierra is looking fine. Take care of yourself and Sierra. I’ve been watching since you had that big tent in the snow. Fun seeing your RC truck.

Pretty cool! Sierra is looking good. Enjoy the holiday week end.

Very cool! Can't wait to see how it progresses!

The property is looking great and love the views. Your rock wall is already doing what you want.

The view you just shared is so stunning... Everyone's Dream is to be where you are !!

Looks like a great plan. I think it’s good that you’re doing it over a couple years so you can modify the plan as needed. You actually may get the results you want sooner than you think.🤔

Nice Brian, looks awesome

Tremendous success, Brian! I was amazed at how effective that first 'test' area turned out. How exciting to have that kind of result immediately. I watched the reference video you posted and learned a lot from it. Great idea and good plan for your land. I'm a huge fan of stewardship but not a don't go off the trail ever crazy person. You have to walk your land to care for your land. It's looking really amazing. Good for you and Sierra, I'm glad she's still with you to enjoy it. Your friend in Vegas!

I have many small check dams rather than larger dams. It doesn't let the water flow gain momentum. Also, if one of them fails, it isn't as catastrophic a a single large dam. Mulching or chipping the trees helps too. Nice start sir.

If you put rock salt on the stumps when you cut them down that should kill the rest of the roots. You need to drill holes first then use the rock salt cover.

I love this. it's beaver time! The landscapes and clouds are so beautiful, going through Arizona and NM was awesome when i went cross-country.

Looking good Brian!!

I love that you live in sync with the land. keep teaching!

That is pretty cool. Here in northern Colorado if we did something like that someone would have a meltdown about water rights. In my town we can have rain barrels. Their combined capacity can NOT exceed 110 gallons. Ridiculous.

You're amazing Brian, love to see how you are working your land. Very impressive !

So interesting! You’re giving a master class on taking care of your land to conform to you needs! Thank you!

LOVE IT! The future residents of our off-grid AZ community will definitely want to implement your strategies. Thanks for the video!

Love the way things are going. Nice to see Sierra up and about. Best wishes to you both.

Perfect permaculture beginnings you can do so much with the swales and water catchment on contour. I’m looking forward to following this content. Always enjoy your videos thanks.

this is sick! really inspiring. can't wait to watch the progress!!

I love to see people connecting and working with the land!

There is a large effort to thin out juniper in E Oregon. I think you could mulch the juniper and improve soil So cool that you are capturing and slowing the water. Can’t wait to see how it all works out

Beaver dam analogs using those junipers. Thanks for sharing.

Your property's looking great. I like your ideas with the water. I think that's gotta work out good. Enjoy your evening. And your Puppy ! ❤

I really admire what you're doing. Thanks for the upload.

A lot of work for sure, but it will be so rewarding. Just like all of the work you do around your place. Shangri-La in the making!

This looks like so much fun. Your land is coming alot nicely.

I just watched a video about another property owner that did exactly this, the transformation was huge.

So cool to results after one storm. Really makes you feel good to see them that quick.

Juniper logs, stacked, would be a great addition to your rock walls. They will last for a decade or two before rotting.

Wow 😅 sorta is so happy and you with so hard. You inspire me to learn about the land. Thank you

I look forward to more videos on your land improvement.

We use chicken wire and rebar driven into the ground and pile the rocks against the upslope side. Even a heavy rain won't wash them away. Gravel, twigs and leaves catch in the crevices and soon an almost watertight dam is formed holding water for several days.

Pretty impressive from one storm. Interesting to see how much vegetation grows in it in a year or two. You’ve got a real project ahead on the junipers.

Hi Brian and Sierra. The property is looking really good. Loved the night lighting storm , and that was a cute little bunny rabbit. Hugs and kisses for Sierra 🤗🤗😘😘❤️❤️

Love your place! Best wishes from Richmond Va.

I cant wait to start a similar project on my land!! Subscribed!

Good progress from day 1, NICE. You should also put rocks on those areas where you see water incising the land. It will stop it eroding further (13:50 in your video). And another way to slow the flow is to just leave the sawed of junipers in the water channel (think like a beaver).

Great job Brian! I'm a few years away from retirement and starting to look for land to begin a homestead. I have lurked for years, but this video made me have to comment. You and Sierra should be proud!!

You can also use some of the small trees you cut along with the rocks to hold more water.

@16:12 to reduce piping of valueable sediment through the dam, try putting the juniper braches (all the dead/lower limbs). that'll help seal it up without moving rocks haha

Awesome Content! 🎉 I have some spots in Deming, NM. They get hit hard during the Monsoon Season. These are some great ideas! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤

Great idea 👍 .

Awesome plan man. Something ive always wanted to do on a piece of my own property! Especially cool since my Uncle guest starred at the beginning!

Rock walls are a great idea. In a few years you might have a natural pond. Love your property.

Spiffy little bowl you have there. Wind protection and still has sun. Congrats.

In Australia they are using the trees to make water slowing swales the juniper seems like a good material for it 👍 flood and inflation is exactly what you need

Use some of the larger junipers you cut down and make a series of pointed posts that you hammer in behind each of your rock catchment walls. Love your ideas.....

Wow this was very informative. I learned so much today!

wow man, your property is absolutely beautiful, you can do all kinds of cool stuff in it, excited to see whats next

Be like a beaver and use the juniper that your cutting down and the rocks in tandem to hold water.

Lookimg good! Hey i did some dams out at dead horse but instead of using rocks, we used those junipers! Turned out really great because the twigs and organic matter worked really well to block out all those small crevices. We caught almost 2 feet of sediment in one storm and flattened out almost 80 feet of the wash, and it stayed wet for almost 2 months

You can use your cut junipers to slow runoff, too. Lay the in your channels with the cut stump pointing uphill. Use several such structures per runnel. Several slowdown ares per runnel will drastically reduce erosion. r runnel will drastically reduce your erosion. Water’s erosive power

Line the sip before the rock wall with your cut juniper. That will slow the water, and trap sediment even better.

Amazing results! Idk of you mentioned what you're doing with the junipers you cut out, but uou could add branches to the rock dams to fill in the gaps. Also mulch is a thought that occured to me as well. Fantastic work 👍

that is a great idea

Cool stuff.

Amazing project! 💪👑🌟

You are also slowing soil erosion. Well done!

You know whats up with the check dams, the more the merrier. I use the juniper brush to make the swales too

Juniper wood when dried, is great for wood fired cooking.

Mike Dickson has a video on Joel Salatin's place. He shows his check dams. Where he uses a scrap piece of plastic so he control the water etc.. with poly tubing and he is able to have multiple uses for water ie; livestock etc... I don't know if you plan to a few heads of livestock but it certainly wouldn't hurt. I'm glad I found your channel! Thank you for sharing, it's not easy work but it sure is meaningful work. Brooks

Another great vid Bryan...Im looking to leave calif. I would love to be able to buy land in an environment like that...beautiful!

Good idea about creating the rock sieves. You may want to consider adding "S" curves to your water pathways. "S" curves (as you probably know) will slow down the water even more, and catch more sediment. So happy to see the "greening" of AZ.

Looks great Brian! Beautiful time of year over there. Good work on the wall. I enjoy open meadow/plains areas as well. Enjoy the cooler weather 🤙 PS- maybe you could just pull/yank the small junipers out with your atv or even truck. That way won't grow back and save some energy for you.

Raising the water table will kill off some of the juniper trees for you as well. They like dry roots.

It will be interesting if you see an increase of rabit activity with all the new grass that will grow around those rock dams. Great project!

I bet you have an impressive arrowhead collection from that land.

It might help to use juniper branches in your check dams to fill in gaps and hold more sediment back.

Love what your doing! Those little rock walls are called 'check dams'. To prevent the rocks from getting washed out, you can do two things: build many, many more of them, but lower in height, which creates lots of small tiers instead of fewer large tiers. Second, start higher in the landscape where there is less water and it is moving slower. I Rubio, generally, is better to trap the water at the highest elevation you can so it sinks in and seeps out over a longer time frame. If you haven't found the videos, check out "Australian Story: Peter Andrews, Natural Sequence Farming". He us legendary for turning around dry properties, but his work deviates a little from the "just build swales" theory. Very interesting, and his use of woody material would work very well with your juniper trash.

Great videos keep it up neighbor!

Nice work. Can say if you can change to working from high land to low with check dams may be less exciting but would give you good yields but with much less repair/maintenance in rain events. Nicely done

The areas under the canopy of the removed Junipers will keep their high infiltration rates for up to 10 years, some studies show. Interesting stuff. Thank people for science!

Thanks for sharing. Imo throw those juniper braches on the high end of the weir and they'll catch a lot more sediment.

Pan some of that sediment. May be some gold in it.

I design erosion control for construction sites, the term in the US for that devise is a “Rock Check Dam.”

Should use the cut Juniper as BDA (Beaver Dam Analog) material, it will help to catch sediment and nutrients.

Brian, looks like your gonna make the garden eden on your property.. Can't wait too see how it turns our

You should use the debris from the junipers. Maybe it could support the wall, drive them into the ground maybe. Weave some branches between them. Kinda do a BDA, Beaver Dam Analog.

Look for gold in that sediment! 🎉

I think your doing an awesome job looks beautiful where you live .

Cut branches of juniper and lay tightly together and parallel to banks. Weigh diwn with respect icks will catch silt. Cheap and fast.

the water spreads by adding on a diversion drain , just up¨stream from the gabion thingy. Overflow can be diverted across the field on a contour, or a little off contour 1:300 grade to let it trickle

I wish I had tons of nice big rocks like you do to build dams! All of mine are really small and will probably just roll downhill when the water comes

Put a handful of grass under the stone when you build a dam, it holds water better.