Utilizing Untapped Water Sources
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 1:38PM 
The Interflow Capture & Storage (ICS) idea seeks to reclaim water that is lost from the site via subsurface flow and seepage. By strategically placing a number of well-graded gravel trenches across the width of the farm that penetrate down to the impermeable clay layer, subsurface groundwater flows can be recovered and stored in cisterns placed throughout the site. Both filter fabrics and impermeable layers will be used to facilitate the collection of groundwater. The water in the cisterns can be stored with minimal evaporation until needed for growing crops. During the winter, snow could be loaded into the cisterns through the manhole for use in the spring. It should be noted that the capacity of the cisterns would be much lower than the farm currently demands; it will function mainly as a supplement to alleviate the current demand. To further increase storage capacity, an impermeable fabric may encompass the downhill side of the gravel trench, so that the pores can act as more storage area. Excess water or overflow would simply run over the impermeable layer and re-enter the interflow region. It would then be captured by the next gravel trench and row of cisterns. The gravel trenches would not affect crop area; filter fabric and a layer of topsoil would allow normal farming of the area above the trenches and cisterns. Access to the cisterns for maintenance is afforded by the manholes; these also function as inlets for snow storage.
Andrew Kracht
Christina Duncan
Tim Olson
Reader Comments (4)
This looks like a promising approach to storing the rainwater. Regardless of what approach is taken to store the water there will be some digging required, and based on this cross section shown in the image above, I don't see how the cistern could be dug out without completely removing the whole top surface. Is there an established method for creating a cavern as shown in this concept?
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