Rainwater harvesting to reduce erosion

By Tara McKnight

Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent, horticulture, Wichita County

Texas

Rainwater harvesting is an obvious solution for homeowners looking to reduce water usage and lower their irrigation bills. However, flooding and erosion control are other benefits worth the consideration of many homeowners.

Rainwater harvesting can turn storm water problems into water supply assets by slowing runoff and allowing it to soak into the ground. Impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets block rainfall and other precipitation from infiltrating naturally into the ground. Precipitation that does not soak into the ground, but instead runs off its surface and becomes storm water. Movement of this water across the soil causes erosion. It can also carry and deposit untreated pollutants, such as sediment, nutrients, and pesticides into the surface water bodies.

Capturing and storing rainwater allows it to be applied at a rate that infiltrates the soil. Reducing run-off also helps to reduce the contamination of surface water with sediments, fertilizers, and pesticides in rainfall run-off.

Methods for harvesting rainwater include:

--Crescent-shaped berms around plants on slopes

--Gabions (piles of large rocks encased in wire mesh)

--French drains (holes or trenches filled with gravel)

--Permeable paving material such as gravel, crushed stone, and open or permeable paving blocks on steep slopes

--Terrace grading (stair step like shelves) of slopes

For more information on designing and building a rainwater harvesting system, attend The Wichita County Rainwater Harvesting Seminar on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the MPEC. Items that this seminar will cover include: basics of rainwater harvesting, different collection systems, uses of collected rainwater, rangeland watersheds and wildlife, runoff and storm water, rain gardens, infiltration trenches, harvesting systems how to's, water quality and water treatments. The seminar is $10 a person or $15 a couple. Pre-register at The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office at 600 Scott, Suite 200 in Wichita Falls. Deadline to pre-register is Feb. 8. If you have any questions, please call 940-716-8610. Limited seating is available so be sure to get a spot early. This seminar is being held in conjunction with the Texoma Farm and Ranch Show.

Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our County Extension office, 940-716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents.

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Date: 8/8/08

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