Farm Water Management

! Slow, Sink, Spread, Store & Plan for Overflow

Supported by: Nov. 28, 2016

Hatchet & Seed Tayler Krawczyk
Edible Landscapes + Eco-Design Hatchet & Seed
www.hatchetnseed.ca
Funding by:
 Take Home Lessons for Today
! Slow – reduce velocity of storm runoff, reduce
erosion, protect rivers/streams from dangerous
swelling

! Spread - use gravity to move water from wet

areas (valleys) to dry areas (ridges)

! Sink – increase infiltration & percolation,

increase ‘interflow’, increase groundwater
recharge

! Store – hold water in retention basins, dugouts,

ponds reservoirs and in high OM soil for later use

! Plan for Overflow – plan where where

record storm-water surges will go, don’t be
surprised
Hatchet & Seed
Edible Landscapes + Eco-Design

www.hatchetnseed.ca
“We can stabilize climate [store
carbon, and restore watershed
function] as a by-product of
profitable, ecological farming.”

- Abe Collins, Holistic Planned Grazing Practitioner

Our Regional Climate Context

https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Rain_shadow
 CRD Regional Climate Modeling

Highlights from the findings include:

-  Extreme temperatures (32°C to 35°C) are projected to occur almost

four times as often in future CRD.
-  The amount of precipitation falling during very wet days is projected to
increase by 20%; with precipitation during extremely wet days
projecting to increase by 25% in CRD
-  More extreme precipitation events (with 3-hour duration) are
projected to occur on average three and a half times as often in future
in CRD.
-  There will be fewer Heating Degree Days and a substantial increase in
Cooling Degree Days in CRD
The ‘Mediterranean Water
Management’ Blues
http://victoria.weatherstats.ca/
www.crkeyline.ca
Keyline History
Yeomans,
P.A.. Water
for Every
farm.
Keyline Scale of Permanence
Watershed Basics

Source: http://www.tankonyvtar.hu/hu/tartalom/
tamop425/0032_vizgazdalkodas/ch01s02.html
 Water, Silt & Nutrient

Source: Tayler Krawczyk

Natural concentration of soil moisture.
Natural concentration of soil moisture.
Natural concentration of soil moisture.
Natural Concentration of Soil Moisture.
Photo Source: Campbell Wilson. PRI Australia Article.
 On ‘Pooling’ & Drainage
“It is important this result (pooling in the valleys) is
treated not a problem of excess moisture to be
drained away but as a symptom of water probably
being squandered from the upper slopes.”
- Ken Yeoman, Keyline Designs

Source: Tayler Krawczyk

 Classic Keyline Landscape Definitions

Photo Source: HUMA. Understanding the Application of Keyline Design.

 Ridge Line

Ridge Line

Valley Line
Valley Line
Completing a Keyline Layout on
Paper
By Georgi Pavlov. Available for download with donation at
huma.org
By Georgi Pavlov
Understanding Classic Keyline Geometry

Source:
Doherty,
Darren.
Regrarians
Handbook.
2014
Understanding Classic Keyline Geometry

Source:
Doherty,
Darren.
Regrarians
Handbook.
2014
Understanding Classic Keyline Geometry

Source:
Doherty,
Darren.
Regrarians
Handbook.
2014
Understanding Classic Keyline Geometry

Source:
Doherty,
Darren.
Regrarians
Handbook.
2014
Source: Doherty, Darren. Regrarians Handbook. 2014
Photo Source: HUMA. Understanding the Application of Keyline Design.

Simplified Contours
Photo Source: HUMA. Understanding the Application of Keyline Design.

Focus on Function! Keep it Simple!

 Photo Source: HUMA. Understanding the Application of Keyline Design.

Anomalies

“it is often necessary for compromises with the geometry to have to be made,
and that’s okay. It is much better to have a layout that is not entirely correct but
that is easy and inspiring to work with, than a layout that is technically correct
but that everyone hates working with.” - Georgi Pavlov
What if there are no classic
‘keyline landforms’?

Choosing a guideline using

common-sense.
How is ‘keyline pattern layout’
different than other layout patterns?

What are the advantages & dis-

advantages?
Source:
Doherty,
Darren.
Regrarians
Handbook.
2014
Source: Doherty, Darren. Regrarians Handbook. 2014
Source: Doherty, Darren. Regrarians Handbook. 2014
 Surveying in Practice

!  Start with Contour Maps

!  Flags / Stakes

!  Elevation Survey Tools

- Transit Level
- Laser Level
- A Frame
- Water Level (Bunyip)
 What if we do not have contour
maps available for our region?

!  Demand them from

local governments!

!  Affordable drone
mapping has come!
Once you have your guideline
chosen and layout completed,
what techniques are available?
Keyline Cultivation for Pasture
Rejuvenation
How is a Yeomans Plow Different any
old subsoiler?
 About Our
Field
Monitoring
Program

Sara Duncan,
p.Ag
Results: CONTEXT

PILOT PROJECT to discover:

 HOW and WHY Keyline Design can be used
on small farms in our region
 Whether the intended BENEFITS are
MEASURABLE
  Are INITIAL RESULTS promising?
Opportunity and METHODS for SCALING UP in PRACTICE
and ASSESSMENT
Results: HYPOTHESES
Results: HYPOTHESIS TESTS
 Bullock Lake
●  25% stones+ fine gravels
●  Silt loam
●  No Ah
●  Shallow depth to auger
refusal on slope
●  Gleying in plots on crest of
hill

Ravenhill
●  Clay pan at 20 cm
●  10-15% gravel
●  Silt loam (till)
●  Thin Ah
Beetnik
●  weak lower soil development ●  Sandy loam
●  Gleying in lower slope positions
●  30% cobble -gravel
●  Thin Ah
●  Well drained in treated area
 Results: PENETROMETER MEASUREMENT

Depth of
plough

Modified fom public domain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

File:Penetrometer.jpg
Results: ROOTING

Average (Range) Rooting

Depth
(cm)

Site Year Control Treatment

Ravenhill 2015 17 (9-23) 18 (14-27)

2016 15 (12-17) 15 (11-17)

Bullock 2015 14 (12-16) 17 (13-20)

Lake
2016 18 (17-20) 20 (17-25)

Beetnik 2015 - -

2016 11(9-12) 30 (26-38)

Results: SOIL CARBON
Total Carbon
Active Carbon

Short-term (<5-10 years) small absolute change in total carbon

Active fraction change may be measured more quickly
Results: SOIL MOISTURE
Results: SOIL MOISTURE
Results: INFILTRATION

●  Slightly higher rainfall

wetting curve
●  Holds moisture
longer

●  May
●  May reduce moisture ➡infiltration to
retention in some situations
subsoil by
( evaporation ? Drainage?
holding
Under saturated conditions)
moisture in
topsoil in other
situations?
NEXT STEPS

!  Spring/summer and Fall 2017

!  Penetrometer measurements
!  Rooting measurements
!  Fall 2017
!  Final soil carbon sample collection
!  Final volumetric water content downloads
!  Final report December 2017
NEXT STEPS
‘Keyline Super Plow’ ?

OS Design by: Luke Hallam , from Darren J. Doherty

 ‘Keyline SuperPlow’

Source: Darren J. Doherty – Carversville Farm Foundation

Other Applications of Keyline Patterning:
Market Garden Retrofit
Where & How Has This Been Applied?
Where & How Has This Been Applied?
Where & How Has This Been Applied?
Source: Shepard, Mark. Restoration Agriculture.
Source: Shepard, Mark. Restoration Agriculture.
Source: Shepard, Mark. Restoration Agriculture.
Where & How Has This Been Applied?

Versaland, Iowa. Grant Shultz.

 Where & How Has This Been Applied?

Source: Rancho San Ricardo. Pablo Ruiz Lavalle.

 Where & How Has This Been Applied?

Source: Darren J. Doherty

 Where & How Has This Been Applied?

Source: Ridgedale Permaculture – Richard Perkins

Ridgedale Permaculture Model, courtsey of Richard Perkins. By Georgi
Pavlov.
Source: HUMA – Georgi Pavlov
Other Water Management Strategies
 Swales on
Contour

Advantages! Potential Challenges

-  existing infrastructure/ fences
-  possible winter springs in unwanted areas
-  Slows overland flow of water & -  compaction of temporarily saturated soils if
nutrients used
-  disturbance creates niche for new plant -  blocking cold air drainage
establishment -  Can create access challenges for machinery
-  soil loosening and animals
-  soil warming -  Large energy output; permanent feature
-  planting mound gets above water table -  Does not address soil health in between
-  more soil-air interface swales that is causing excess overland flow
Swales
-  Contour (retention) vs. Off Contour (diversion)
-  Be diligent, plan carefully. Consider advantages and
disadvantages of all options.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Source: Water Harvesting The Permaculture Way. Geoff Lawton.
Hatchet & Seed
Edible Landscapes + Eco-Design
Source: Hatchet & Seed.
 Mimic Forest Ecosystems!

Source: Hatchet & Seed

Source: Jacke. Edible Forest Gardens.

‘Mob’ / Holistic Planned /
Management Intensive Grazing
 Silvo-Pasture as Drought-Proofing

Source: Hatchet & Seed.

 Silvo-Pasture as Drought-Proofing

Source: Shepard, Mark. Restoration Agriculture.

‘Mob’ / Planned / Management
Intensive Grazing

Source:
Sheldon Firth.
Author of
"Letter to a
Vegetarian
Nation"
 Bottomlands: Tile Drainage?

Source: Partners. Conservation Technbology Information Center

Balancing Tile Drainage & Retention
 Alternative Drainage for Bottomlands

Source: Nature Conservancy

Still trying to keep slopes between

1:100 – 1:200 to slow erosion.
SOURCE: https://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds/
conservationdrainage/design.html#
Nature’s Pattern for Aerobic Soil in
Wet Environments - ‘Pits & Mounds’
Creates microclimates & micro-
topography!
Areas of permanent aeration!
Hugelkultur
Hugelkultur
Soil Health
Living Soil as Microscopic Water
Storage
Source: Stamets. Mycellium Running.
Soil, Organic Carbon & Water
 IRRIGATION POND DESIGN

Source: Hatchet & Seed.

Is soil removal needed?
– Best to re-use on site
!  Check your municipal bylaws
Sizing Your
Pond – How
much do
you need?
 Use Manufacturer’s Catalogues to
determine your expected need!
GPM / GPH / LPM / LPH per emitter X number of emitter.
How many zones can the system be divided into?
What is max GPM that will be needed at one time?
Sizing your Pond:
Assessing Water Needs
Source: Lewis, B. (Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia
Planning for Evaporation Loss
 Planning for Evaporation Loss
Equation Source: Lewis, B.
(Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia

Example: approx. 4 ML pond

L = .67 x 625mm x 1450 m2

L = 607,188 L

607,188 L of evaporation /
4,000,000 total L
= 15% Evaporation Loss

Evaporation rate can be up

to 100% if pond is too shallow.
Source: Lewis, B. (Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia
Siting Your Pond
 Choosing an
Experienced
Excavation
Contractor
-  Ensure they have
experience building
ponds and
understand:

1. regulatory regime
2. importance of separating
earth materials for later use
3. importance of diligent soil
assessment, design &
construction
4. risks associated with
embankment ponds
Soil Investigation
Soil Investigation – Texture Sampling
Calculating
Catchment

Source: Lewis, B.
(Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and
maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia.
P. 5
Calculating
Catchment
Surveying
Irrigation Pond
Design
Considerations

https://www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/9/94/
Ponds,_Planning,_Design,_Construction.pdf
!  Lewis, B. (Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and
maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia
!  Lewis, B.
(Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams:
planning,
construction
and
maintenance.
Collingwood,
Australia
!  Lewis, B.
(Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams:
planning,
construction
and
maintenance.
Collingwood,
Australia
!  Lewis, B. (Barry),
1942– .
Farm dams:
planning,
construction
and
maintenance.
Collingwood,
Australia
Excavated Pond
!  Lewis, B. (Barry), 1942– .
Farm dams: planning,
construction and
maintenance.
Collingwood, Australia
Source:

Wall construction depending on clay content / materials

available..
 What If Insufficient Clay is Found?

Source: Darren Doherty. Regrarians Facebook Page. Installing Bentoliner.

 What If Insufficient Clay is Found?

LLDPE Liner for Eco-sense pond, Highlands, BC. Photo by Ann

Baird.
 What If Insufficient Clay is Found?

Products on the Market

! Geotextiles: cushioning, liners, Burp vavles
! Bentonite Clay
!  Gleying
!  WaterSave PL Plug & Seep (biologically
friendly?)
! Soil Floc? (biologically friendly?)
Sinuous Channel, Silt Traps & Level Sill
Spillways
 Spillways

Level-Sill Spillways are preferable to culverted spillways for large ponds. For
smaller ponds, culverted spillways like this can work as long as rock rip-rap is
added.
This spillway is less than ideal. Level-sill is recommended. Also, there is an
alder tree growing on the pond wall which could puncture the retaining wall.
No deep rooted trees should be aloud to grow on a retaining wall. Short
rooted plants like grasses and blackberries are suitable.
Spillway ‘Guideline’
!  Square root of catchment in hectares = width (in meters)
!  10 acre catchment = 4 hectares = 2 meter wide spillway
Docks
LUNCH !