Recent Projects

Integrated runoff management and water harvesting.  This constructed channel collects slope runoff, dissipates energy and transports water and sediment  to planting areas.  Santa Fe, NM.

Headcuts are a serious form of degradation.  They lower local water tables, cause the dessication of nearby plants and advance upslope until they meet a natural barrier or are treated.

The headcut was treated by laying it back and armoring the slope with rock collected on-site.  This technique is suitable only for upland headcuts.  Rio Mora Watershed, NM.

To treat this headcut, organic and cobble mulches were used for erosion control and to encourage seed germination.  Drip irrigation was used to establish tree and shrub seedlings.

9 months later the pioneer plants are providing shade and protection for later successional stages.  The later stages are composed of deep rooted perennials for stability.  Arroyo Hondo, NM.

This media luna was built to prevent parking lot runoff from eroding a steep slope.  In addition to erosion control, this is also an effective passive water harvesting structure.

One year later, the extra moisture stored by the media luna has greatly enhanced the vigor of established and newly recruited plants.  Visit this demo project located at Plants of the SW in Santa Fe, NM.

Concentrated road runoff and improperly placed culverts are a common cause of severe erosion.  Moisture from road runoff is a resource that can enhance the productivity of the landscape.

Runoff spills onto a splash apron, over a one rock dam, then over a media luna that spreads it into sheet flow. 7 months later the area is vegetated and storing moisture. Rio Galisteo Watershed, NM.