Build a Functional Dry Streambed to Capture Water - Step By Step DIY Tutorial

[@jackiegirard5473]

Loved watching the install process and happy you showed it filled with water from the rain! Looking forward to seeing the plant material

[@steph5200]

Turned out beautiful ❤️

[@Golgari213]

Very nice video!!! How do you feel about a garden blanket under the river? Do you think it's okay to put that underneath for extra weed protection?

[@bigalrc]

This.. or even plastic sheeting if you want the water to not drain into the soil and keep flowing onward

[@jameswang8129]

Thank you for so detailed instructions. How about laying the bottom and half height edges with water impermeable fabric? to limit water from soaking surrounding soil.

[@CarlosMartinez-rz8gq]

How do you keep weeds from growing?

[@CBWCD]

Hand pulling. That said, if you know there are a lot of weeds in the soil in that area, I would dig the shape and depth of the water capture area, water for a while to flush as many weed seeds as possible, remove those weeds, and make sure all gravel is in around a 3" deep layer to help prevent new weeds from growing as much as is practical.

[@alexchandra7880]

May I know why not drill / big auger at the bottom of the dry creek until reach sandy soil and fill it with gravel so water have way to go down faster?

[@marlonportiz7010]

Nice info thanks

[@johngreenway1840]

Shovel honestly is only good for moving dirt not digging. Use San Angelo bar to break ground up, then move away with shovel

[@CBWCD]

Hi John. Digging bars are amazing, but we find much of our non-professional audience does not want to buy additional special tools they may only need for one or two projects at home. Also, not all of our audience has the upper body strength to properly use a bar. However, we totally agree that in heavy or compact soil this can well be the ideal approach. Thank you for adding the comment!

[@johngreenway1840]

@@CBWCD to be fat if you can’t use a bar you can’t use a shovel either

[@johngreenway1840]

*fair Bar is probably a lot easier than shovel

[@johngreenway1840]

@@CBWCD depends on size

[@chucks4748]

Now you just created a giant mosquito pond.

[@CBWCD]

Mosquitos require at least 72 hours of pooled or still water to complete their cycle from egg to adult. Properly sized and built for one's soil on the site, these features should drain all of their water in fewer hours than that. A simple drainage test in a 1' deep hole in the project location can test percolation rates to ensure the depth of the feature will drain within that time period. We believe this is covered in the video, but if you have watched the entire video and that was not clear to you, please let us know so we can be sure to add that information more clearly in the description. Following that simple principle, there will be no mosquitos. If you are still nervous about it, you can design a dry streamed that will infiltrate in no more than 48 hours to be extra safe!

[@LoriSavingWild]

what is going on with the tortoise in the background? Is it alone?

[@CBWCD]

That's Sam, a rescued Sulcata tortoise who was found roaming the neighborhood many years ago and has since become our sort of unofficial mascot. Other than visits from his humans on staff here and visitors, he is alone, but that is how Sulcata tortoises prefer it. They are a territorial and solitary species, so Sam prefers the single life and is not looking for a roommate!

[@thehypercasual385]

giant tortoise spotted at 25:12 !!!!

[@CBWCD]

That's Sam. He kind of runs the place. He was adopted many years ago when he was found roaming the local streets and is our most famous ambassador.

[@deborahjohnson8852]

Great eyesight!!

[@cynthiarobinsmith3712]

Get rid of drip systems in native gardens. Drip was invented for agriculture and works great in an edible garden. Native plants die within a few years, using drip --- Natives do not like "wet feet". My 7 year old, native garden uses NO sprinklers or drip irrigation. 100% dependent on rainfall. Infrequent hand-water for new plantings. All hand watering in the establishment phase. No irrigation system can match the value and success of proper hand water soil hydration. Passive hydration happens via strategic rock/catch dam/dry bed and gravel features.