Annual surface water evaporation is estimated to be 2.5 m. By using a combination of earthworks
and selected plant species, our design strategy is to increase the water holding capacity in the soil immediately
surrounding the dam so that this water will,  a) be utilised by selected productive plant species, b) trickle back into the dam as
water levels recede. A combination of hedge plants and taller trees will greatly reduce wind whilst providing cool shade over water.
These effects will significantly reduce evaporation (perhaps by up to 1 metre p.a) and assist with oxygen retention in the water.
Leaf fall will in turn become part of the aquatic food chain.

With the best soaking rain in at least 4 years, the dam is again almost full.
115 mm of rain fell during the 1st week of March '10

www.permaculture.org.au