How do I terrace a field for water retension

stevenf · Aug 17, 2005

I have started planting food plots at the ranch and my neighbors tell me that if I terrace my fields against the slope of the land I can retain water in them better. I'm have a M9000, a hvy BB, a 3pt disc and the tractor has a loader. Do I have what it takes or is it time to go shopping. I thought I'd try to just pull some humps in a row with the BB but I'm sure there has to be a faster way just not sure what implement is needed to achieve this.
Steve

beenthere · Aug 17, 2005

I'd think I'd get a sight level and lay out stakes on the contour, then follow them around with a moldboard plow or heavy disc plow to make the berms or 'dams' that will hold water. They need to be level, or the water will not hold (i.e. the top of a dam is 'level') on the hillside.

Probably, if the field is ag land, your soil conservation service might even pay for some of the work of laying it out and making the terraces. Drains are placed so some water, if too deep, will bleed off to avoid spilling out and taking the terrace with it.

RonR · Aug 17, 2005

I always thought terracing was to move the water off the ground at a safe controlled slope so it didn't wash out, not retain the water.

Anyway, I helped an uncle build a short terrace (maybe 100 yards long) years ago. He got a transit and started me off with a measuring stick and some flags. I'd walk 10 paces, the stop and hold up the stick. He'd have we walk up or down slope until he got the right numbers. Memory tells me it was a one inch drop in 10 yds, but don't quote me on it.

I'd place a stake and walk another 10 paces and repeat. When we had the flags in, we plowed up to the stakes making it the high points. A few weeks later running the disc and a small grader over it, it was done. That was 30 yrs ago and the terrace is still in place and working.

Ron

beenthere · Aug 17, 2005

RonR /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that is normal procedure, but the request was for retention. Probably some of both. Retention will probably leave small pools of water to slowly drain away, whereas if planting crops, these pools would just make for mud and drowned crops. So there is a need to 'control' the water and terracing can be used to do that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Your method with your Uncle should work today. A hand sight level on a stick with two people working should also work. One could do it alone using the sight level on a stick to back-sight while moving up and down the slope too. The garden hose and sight tubes could be done with one person as well, but somewhat time consumming.