Article 06 · Water & Seasons
Where Does the Rain Go? Read the Land Before Moving Soil
Follow rain across your land to understand runoff, infiltration and collection points before changing levels or moving soil.
At Dasot Organic Farms, water cannot be treated as an afterthought. Long dry periods, intense rain and limited fresh water make every movement of water important.
Before digging a trench or changing a drainage line, we first try to understand what the land is already doing.
Observe during and after rain
When conditions are safe, mark:
- where water enters the property;
- where it speeds up or cuts through bare soil;
- where it spreads, sinks or remains standing;
- where soil, mulch or organic matter is being carried away;
- where water finally leaves the site.
Photograph the same places during rain, the following morning and a few days later. One visit shows movement; repeated visits show a pattern.
Look at the causes
- Landform: High points, low areas and slope direction guide the flow.
- Soil condition: Compacted ground may shed water even when the soil type normally absorbs it.
- Vegetation: Roots, leaf litter and groundcover can slow water and protect the surface.
- Built features: Roofs, roads, walls and paths may concentrate water in unexpected places.
Begin with gentle responses
Mulch, vegetation and small changes to the soil surface can sometimes slow runoff without permanently altering the site. Major drains, bunds, swales or earthworks need careful assessment because changing water in one place can create a problem elsewhere.
Our experience has taught us to look beyond the amount of water. Its quality, timing and movement matter just as much. The monsoon often corrects the map we drew in the dry season - and that correction is valuable information.