permaculture

["Kelly Finigan" <kfinigan@spots.ca>]

Antonio:

on the side with the ditch you could lay in periodic straw bales (if 
available) instead of rocks to prevent erosion. Rocks actually speed up the 
water flow and can INCREASE erosion unless the whole ditch is covered in 
rock...strawbales act as "mini-dams", slowing water and catching sediment on 
the upslope side. This also creates a small wind-sheltered, slightly moist, 
fertilised planting "pocket" good for placing your favorite N-fixing, berry 
or coppicing shrub (e.g. caragana, hawthorne, willow, etc). Over time, these 
shrubs will further reduce the water flow.

An important design feature would be to provide straw bales/shrub plantings 
at frequent intervals so runoff cannot build up enough to wash out your work.

Happy New Year!
Kelly


On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:53:35 +0100, Antonio Scotti wrote
> Hello Kelly & Rick,
> > Rick's idea is great. Visualize one swale on each side of the road 
leading
> > off of each "bar". The swales will be perpendicular (90 degrees) to the
> road
> > direction.
> 
> Unfortunately this won't be possible since I've got a cliff on one 
> side of the road and a steep slope up hill on the other.
> 
> The road itself is not very steep, couldn't say how many degrees now,
>  the idea that you Kelly suggests below could perhaps be useful with 
> my original idea of having a drain on each side of the road 
> collecting the runoff. Then if these drains have holes with plants 
> along its lenght I could perhaps slow down the runoff enough. The 
> drain could possibly have a hard bottom (stones?) to avoid further 
> erosion on the roadsides...but then it would be quite a job doing 
> it! Thanks for your feedback and Happy 2004 to the list All. Antonio
> 
> >
> >
> >  Also how can I could I
> > > efficiently trap/filter the debris that are carryied along with the
> water?
> >
> > Kind of depends on the type and volume of debris, but a small settling
> pond
> > or "pit" along the swale generally works well. Make the pit close-ish to
> the
> > road. Sediment and larger, heavier trash will go to the bottom of the 
pit.
> > Grow a grass or other crop in the pit - the vegetation will trap more
> debris
> > and oils and greases from the road will absorb onto the leaves. Make the
> > water pass over/through a small rock "dam/french drain" to get to the 
rest
> > of the swale...this further filters the water and retains more trash
> > including most "floatables" like plastics.
> >
> > have fun!
> >
> > ciao,
> > Kelly
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Kelly Finigan, M.Sc. P.Eng. Permaculture Designer
> > ~ Sustainability consultant & ecological designer ~
> >
> > 744 - 4 Street NW
> > Calgary, Alberta T2N 1P2
> > phone 1-403-283-7270
> >
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--
Kelly Finigan, M.Sc. P.Eng. Permaculture Designer
~ Sustainability consultant & ecological designer ~ 

744 - 4 Street NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1P2
phone 1-403-283-7270