Passive water harvesting is where rainwater is stored on the site where it falls, and is infiltrated into the ground for landscapes and groundwater recharge. Passive water harvesting means not letting runoff water leave a specific site. Once it is set up, costs and maintenance are minimal.
Here are some natural structures to incorporate into your landscaping design that can help direct rainwater for irrigation, erosion control or simply to guide water where you want it to go:
Berm
A mound of soil piled, shaped and compacted on the downhill side of a plant or tree to direct and harvest any available runoff water.
Boomerang
A berm built in the shape of a boomerang on the downhill side of a plant or tree. The most efficient water harvesting structure, it collects water from a larger surface area uphill because of the open shape.
Fish Scales
Multiple boomerang structures installed on a slope, connecting together to form numerous basins for water harvesting.
Swale
A trench that is installed along a landscape on contour. A swale has the excavated soil from the trench compiled on the downhill side, and is designed to harvest runoff water from the land. A mound of soil piled, shaped and compacted on the downhill side of a plant or tree to direct and harvest any available runoff water.
One Rock Dam
A simple structure where a single layer of rock is added to a drainage area to control the speed of water moving through it, and control sediment movement downhill. ORDs are usually about 4’ wide and can be installed on contour or simply in the low point of a drainage area.
Terraces
Land forms that level the grade of a landscape and help control erosion and infiltrate water. Terraces can be built using a variety of materials such as rock, concrete, and wood.
Learn more on our Rainwater Harvesting page.
Sound interesting? Email us about your project needs. The RainCatcher offers consultations and estimates for a fee of $100, including travel time. We look forward to hearing from you!