As the latest stewards of a historic property, these homeowners wanted to bring a new level of resilience to their agricultural site.

Blessed with an acequia, they could control water flow manually, according to their yearly water rights. But the existing system was only reaching a handful of fruit trees before it exited straight to the river. Our challenge was to slow the water, expand its reach, and give it time to infiltrate the land.

San Isidro began with a site analysis and customized permaculture design. Our development plan centered around a system of swales and ponding areas that are fed from the client’s acequia. The finished product spreads precious water over most of the property, benefiting five times more area than before. When the acequia gate is opened, a series of swales and infiltration basins move the water slowly through the property, allowing the soil to become a sponge that will support a multi layered, edible landscape being created by the homeowner. These beautiful, functional earthworks are just one example of how San Isidro Permaculture can help you make the most of your site’s unique features.