Functioning Earthworks in Al Baydha

A view of some of the leaky dams on the Al Baydha Project's demonstration site during rain in September, 2015. These dams function by slowing down the water and catching the silt eroded from upstream. As they develop they will be planted with very hardy trees--ziziphus, acacia, & Faidherbia, that will biologically moderate flood flow once they are established. This slows down floods, allowing them to be directed into swales and other earthworks once the water hits the flood plain.

[@user-yt9qy3pb5f]

Seeing the dog jump in the water conveys the feeling there is hope there. The world could use another million of you.

[@andrewlawrence990]

I want you to know that I was inspired by your work. I own 5 acres of land in northern Virginia. Very different climate, but there’s an erosion problem at the back of my lot. Many years ago I started tossing our used Christmas trees in a couple of locations. Then added logs - which just floated away with storms. But I had a big supply of cement bricks from a retaining wall I took down and decided to use those. It works! Thank you, Al Baydeh!

[@Sennmut]

The dog certainly seemed to be enjoying all the water.

[@NotSoFunnyAdult]

Can you please post more videos? it is very interesting watching a dersert turn into an oasis.

[@CannaHeaven]

You are building paradise there, I'm excited about all the new growth. Please keep bringing updates from after the rains, would love to see how it affects growth this season forward.

[@-moumou-]

Yes! Thanks for an update. I replayed it over a few times. I know you are all focused... But would love to see more if you can find time! Blessings.

[@Tossdart]

Great to see Bill Mollisons ideas at work.

[@quinto190]

Man, I'm crying when I see this. Wonderful work!

[@JeremiahJJay]

Been waiting to see an update!

[@sabriyyaabdur-rauf1708]

Encouraging to see the progress!

[@sabriyyaabdur-rauf1708]

I've been thirsting for an update as well and still would like to pay a visit to the site and absorb some of the wisdom, experience and vision. Anymore tree planting or other hands on possibilities planned?

[@tlreed03]

Sure would love to see a lot more videos on your updating your progress

[@patrickmukora9767]

Is this project still on track ?

[@skeso2k157]

Yes

[@petergilfillan8340]

Would love to see more recent updates

[@thomasdrodriguez3851]

Happy dog, loved that!

[@synalag]

Vos travaux ont merveilleusement portés leurs fruits :-) Félicitations :-)

[@JeremiahJJay]

Any updates? We in Chicago, America enjoy this channel! Hope all is well!

[@SionTJobbins]

Please - more videos, photos, stuff on Fb an Twitter! Just give the smart phone to a 14 year old - they'll do the rest! Keep up the excellent work - but, please, more stuff online to keep us informed.

[@MotorsportsX]

once the trees get large enough that all the leaves dont blow away after falling, the soil will start to improve very very rapidly. at which point animal life will return speeding progress further. its an exponential growth and in 5 more years i expect it to look as if we waited 20. very nice work

[@Gustav4]

The leafs will decay...

[@MotorsportsX]

thats the point

[@Gustav4]

MotorsportsX then they cant make the soil better, it has to stay to change it.

[@MotorsportsX]

No. You want them to decay to add nutrients. They will stay long enough to shade the soil and retain water before they decay. This place is going to take off in a few years

[@Gustav4]

MotorsportsX You dont get the important carbon added in the soil.

[@robduell3856]

Ten year update would be great1

[@albaydha702]

it's coming. stay tuned.

[@ninoslavmanojlovic4133]

Just keep trying, and succes is near.

[@Chris.Davies]

Al Baydha project location: 21°03'05.44" N 39°54'10.87" E - it is extremely hard to find without these exact coordinates. You can follow the site's progress using Google Earth, and witness the transformation of what was a wasteland.

[@user-uh4uh9tz7o]

Побольше вам таких дождей!

[@angietorres7914]

Amazing...............Fantastic..................................

[@jrft2610]

That is one happy dog.

[@forrestcarlson9117]

I give it 2 years until your first spring develops. Update Please??

[@aron8949]

the dog loves it everyone loves it

[@Chris.Davies]

Fantastic! And lovely architecture as well.

[@thecurrentmoment]

Happy dog!

[@jaquilinreston1727]

More updates on this project please.

[@niloy512]

you can use shade on top to stop evaporation

[@TariqAltalhi]

Happy to see the good outcome of this project. Is there any way to get in touch with people in Al Baydha village?

[@lucybecker8]

What is the average rainfall here at your site? I was reading it was 80-90 millimeters per year (3-4 inches?) but that the site sometimes gets no rain for 3 years for example 2011-2014?

[@AussiePharmer]

Well done. Curious to see more updates please!

[@calivalley9056]

Just watched all your videos and subscribed. you are doing amazing things there. I live in the land of waste and excess and what you are doing gives me hope. What is your educational back ground or field of study? I'm looking for a second career not driven by my own financial gain. Thank you.

[@blurryflag6466]

nice video, 0:55 that dog makes it better :3

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

It looks like soil is very poor in nutrients in that area.

[@caranlif]

Any updates?

[@davebean2886]

To what extent do you add smaller stones and gravel to the front of your check dams to reduce porosity?

[@mylan6221]

I wonder if bamboo could grow in the desert, it would stop the earth from running off and provide oxygen

[@b_uppy]

I wonder what has happened. No new videos in two years. Somebody know what is happening?

[@09conrado]

So glad with these last two updates Neal, finally! What is this gravel bank we're looking at at 1:18? Terraces are looking much greener as well, nice. The water still seeps out fairly quickly. Do you still need to seal it a little with some finer material or will it later on fill up all by itself?

[@spawacko]

+09conrado Gravel Bank is a berm created from an excavation. Eventually there'll be a structure behind it, but what's behind it is mostly elevated.

[@user-dp7qg3wc3b]

more videos!

[@candisbrendel7396]

BEEN 4 YEARS WE NEED A UPDATE!!! HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? JUST SAYING, OLD ONE LEGGED JOSEPH T.

[@randallspinks2345]

Why not put a 10 ft dam every 1000 ft at least 3 of them

[@saqibs9764]

Dogy is very happy😍

[@TheAstralNomad]

2019 update please

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

It looks to me, in my ignorance, that a leaky dam is not a bad thing in this situation. The water had been significantly slowed down, and can travel to the next pond, and the next, etc., hydrating and insoaking all the way downstream. Or am I fooling myself?

[@quinto190]

+Kirsten Whitworth Yes, that's the purpose :), to slow down water and to deposit the silt that the water carries.

[@yusufziyacetin]

Çok güzel

[@vrisaraj1]

Are there dogs in Saudi?

[@kam70111]

Fibre. Throw some hay behind these leaky dams.

[@tkdawes147]

I was thinking of buying land bist I still nave not seen a try food forest in the desert yet

[@Atanjeo1]

Great to see it working! Have you ever heard of the cloudbuster from Wilhelm Reich? www.orgonelab.org/sobuildaclb.htm

[@09conrado]

+Alexander Karl It seems some people are randomly messing about with these, causing irregular rain patterns and even droughts elsewhere. Too little knowledge can cause great trouble

[@robertcooper9384]

more videos!

[@candisbrendel7396]

BEEN 4 YEARS WE NEED A UPDATE!!! HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? HOW IS IT GOING NOW? JUST SAYING, OLD ONE LEGGED JOSEPH T.