Unlocking Hidden Waters: The Power of Infiltration

Why Store Water in the Landscape?

Rehydrating a landscape means more than creating surface ponds or reservoirs. While open water bodies can be valuable in certain contexts, they often suffer from high evaporation losses due to intense sun, wind, and heat. A more resilient strategy is to store water in the soil itself—where it is protected, cool, and available for slow release over time.

How Does It Work?

By slowing and spreading water on the land’s surface during the rainy season, we allow it to infiltrate deeply into the soil. Instead of rushing away during winter storms, water is retained underground, moving gradually through the soil layers. In some places, it collects near the surface; in others, it sinks deep into underground reservoirs. This hidden network acts as a living sponge, feeding ecosystems and supporting life far beyond the rainy months.

Accessing Stored Water

Once water is stored in the landscape, it must be accessed responsibly to benefit both people and nature. Areas with water close to the surface can often be identified by vegetation patterns and ecological indicators. From there, strategic points can be developed to draw water when needed:

1. Wells
   Wells tap into underground reserves, allowing communities to draw water for essential uses without depleting deeper aquifers when managed sustainably.

   

   
   

2. Springs
   Springs can reappear or flow more consistently after successful water retention efforts higher in the catchment. Restored springs provide a natural, low-impact source of water for ecosystems and people alike.

   

A Resilient Future for Dry Regions

By shifting our focus from draining water to storing it within the landscape, we can transform dryland regions into productive, biodiverse, and water-secure ecosystems. Sustainable water storage is not just about meeting today’s needs; it is about creating the conditions for generations to come.