NEXT LEVEL POND DESIGN 

This was great. Beavers used to do this free on every creek.

From Mollison to Millison, Permaculture is (imo) salvation and sanity in an otherwise upside down world. (Not forgetting everyone else, of course, just couldn't resist the name thing).

This was done in Sri Lanka in ancient times, it was done in large scale, lake systems that nurtured acres of forests and acres of farm land. This was made a intangible world heritage by Unesco aswell

Fixing the hydrological system one property at a time. Hell yeah! I am starting to feel like I'm changing from a pessimist to an optimist for my children's future.

Those overhead shots are what I use to illustrate to people how they can build a "chain of ponds" anywhere they find a shallow crease or fold in the land. You know that when it rains.... the water will flow down that natural gutter. So, if you put some small blockades, the Beaver Dam Analogs, along the way, you create a chain of very small little ponds that will do exactly what this larger version does. Sure, the water might soak into the ground within an hour, but that's okay. When you have a million little folds in the ground all slowing down a little bit of rainfall so it can soak into the ground, that's a huge win.

Wonderfull! I am a hydro engineer in Romania EU.. here we have strong legislation too, and I am very hapy to see this kind of videos! Thanks a lot! Respect!

I keep finding that here in germany the regulators are also looking for things to fit the existing box. But most regulators that came onto our farm and watched our mobile chicken but her where really exited that we can do it differently. Can't wait to plan our ponds and agroforestry systems this winter

whenever i see one of these impressive projects, it always seems like its still a couple decades away from being fully grown in. I'd like to see a very mature system like this

This is exactly how my neighborhood ponds in SW Florida are constructed. When it rains, there are multiple trickle ponds that the water has to pass through before entering the intracoastal waterway. There is much greenery all around these ponds which, in its own is a completely native ecosystem!

This system was already applied during the 14th century in my home town Ternat in Belgium.... you can still see it in Gaasbeek ( a nearby town) and the castle of the 12th century

1% grade on the pond to pond road drain is 1/8” per foot. Plumbers use that 1/8” fall in buildings where the sewer connection is too high for standard 1/4”/foot fall. The pipe at 1/8” fall must be 4” diameter minimum. Street sewer pipes are often run at 1/8” fall as the flow is adequate to carry solids downstream.

The ponds are awesome, but its beautiful that they are grazing regeneratively. Getting started where people have ample funds and education is much easier than situations where people don't have the extra funds, and may not have the prior experience. I enjoy the more simple situations that anyone can take part in.

When I saw the ponds, I straight away knew it was Zach Weiss work, he has a way to design water harvesting structures that is very much his personal touch on the landscape, kind of like a painter would have his/her own style on its masterpiece. Thanks for pinpointing beautiful projects, Andrew 12:51 ❤

You can absolutely blame any individuals involved with producing behaviors that create harmful consequences. That would be the logical, rational, and/or reasonable thing to do. Agricultural activities are protected in many states despite local ordinances that saying otherwise. Trust me, I would know from my experience the last 6 months in PA. The police sent codes to violate my rights (denied access, trespassed to obtain evidence) as a form of intimidation. This is a beautiful project that should be encouraged and incentivized all over the country without unnecessary government interference.

Great Job, when Beavers were all removed from nature it was degraded, now ecologists are trying to get beavers back. This is Beautiful!

Those ponds are lovely. Can't wait to see them 20 years from now!

It's so good to see a success story of working with regulators. Having the civil courage to do the work and the grace and poise to make the work understood is incredibly important and paves the way for the next project. This is the way change happens. Congratulations, Zach.

Slow, Spread, Sink and Share the Wisdom! Thanks for this inspiring video!

Beautiful site. Love the 3 year timeline. This can be used everywhere instead of desert everywhere.

Great job Andrew, keep on inspiring with these stories. You’re one video away from causing a revolution of change for the good of the land. Bravo.

Not only is it beautiful ,but well designed . Thank you for sharing .

Sounds like a pondsy scheme to me :)

This is literally the exact model I want for my family and future homestead. I’m in trade school to become an electrician so I can make a living but also learn to wire this pump system for a super long term permaculture catchment system. I’m aiming to start this in the next 2 years in the El Dorado or Placer county hills of California. Please follow me for future content.

I love stuff like this

Hi Andrew! Great watching this! After completing your PDC I did something almost exactly like this on my property! We're in the middle of El Nino and my trees are still green!

Great video , good conversations between regulations and making changes to the ecosystems.

Absolutely love this. Hope it really starts to catch on. Also, in the unlikely event you see this, I'd encourage you to get in contact with Shaun Overton of Dustups Ranch, who is documenting his attempt and process of trying to turn his patch of desert in Texas into a desert forest, which it originally was. He's learning slowly over time, but I am sure someone like yourself would be such a huge aid to him and his efforts!

Such an amazing project by @waterstories and Zach. It was really great to follow the development of the project in the course.

Thanks for the discussion of permitting and how/why this approach is different than simply stealing water from downstream. There would be a lot less water shortages if these small scale structures were everywhere as opposed to being rare.

I live less than 20 miles from this place and didn't know anything about it. Very cool. I'm a native Oregonian and have been to lots of other states and haven't found anything better than Oregon. The water, the air and, tree's are what make Oregon so great. Keeping Oregon Green and pollution free is the key to our health and survival. We must do all we can to preserve this.

Amazing story!! 🌱 Thanks for sharing

Very nicely done! I think a lot of people miss that the biggest value when slowing the flow is to force as much water underground as possible.

Love these stories, and lessons. Thanks for making this video Andrew and team!

So exciting that they were able to permit this! I hope it can be a reference for other people who want to do something similar.

I imagine the super productive farm wouldn't be there without the water they captured /created

Excellent presentation! The PDC online was great, giving me that which I needed to continue my permaculture dreams on my small farm in Costa Rica. Thank you, Andrew and your team! So grateful!

This planet and the landscape is so neat that it allows permacultre based earth/water projects to be crafted big and small. Even a tiny sloped 10' run along a side yard that would otherwise be a drain and pipe, could be transformed into a micro ecosystem using the concepts of flow and retention :) Thanks for this grand example and inspiration!

Water is life. Thank you for the wisdom and bringing the place to life ❤❤❤

Thank you so much for your videos, Andrew❤❤❤❤

This project was executed beautifully. If only everyone had access to the finances required to source the knowledgeable & experienced people who can customise this type of permaculture terracing to each client's topography.

True Stewards of the Land.

Look up Duke Farms located in New Jersey. Some of the largest man made ponds and pretty much hand dug , with a very similar design. Also open to public and a very beautiful park in Hillsboro NJ.

Hello, from BC. Thanks for this, Andrew! RU-vid recommended this, and I appreciate it because it is very encouraging because it is a success story.

Wow, great work, y'all! Makes me proud to live in this region. I can't wait to have my own land to steward and create my own shangri la with medicinal herb sanctuary.

Amazing project ! Love how they have added to the landscape more that what they take from it. Always a great sign of sustainability. I keep seeing a lot of uncovered soil all over this farm. I was wondering if they have considered seeding some of that place into a meadow of locally native wildflowers and grasses. It will add such a boost to the biodiversity while also bringing in a great variety of pollinators and natural pest control organisms through their farm. Also, meadow in bloom is a great view to have while sipping some nice coffee :).

SIMPLEMENTE ESPECTACULAR. FROM LONDON. GRACIAS

Thank you so much for your work. These people are living my dream! I want to do exactly the same thing in my homelands.

This was one of the most enjoyable infomercials ever.

Awesome!

Very inspiring :)

Thank you Andrew! I discovered your channel yesterday and it is amazing! Your wisdom as well how you explain it in a very skillful didactical way is extremely valuable nowadays. Not many people understand the importance of having a respectful and grateful relationship with the earth and water. I am impressed by the Indian projects you have been sharing about. About the technical thinking yes, although it - when you really take time to think about ‘the way of water’ - all implementations seem very logical to me. But bringing all those people together, connecting them to this vision of prosperity and all those hands moving earth, that moves my heart deeply… What a great understanding about great collaboration for something which is not only benefiting yourself, but the whole of society. Somewhere one of the Indian men says Indians refer to water is ‘blue gold’. I have been thinking about this and come to a slightly different perspective. I see it like this; soil and seeds are potential gold, which need the element water to alchemize the potential gold into true golden fruits. Many people in the west think gold is to be aimed for, they often lost connection with ‘the whole’, nature, their true nature. Forgetting it is all about the connection you make within yourself and with those around us. The biggest lesson I got from watching your video’s today and yesterday is the skill to turn one (often devastating) river (of abundance) into multiple rivers of abundance. Where at various places soil is nourished and germinate seeds of all different sorts and kinds, offering diversity in taste. This is what we in the west have forgotten… how to think with a more collective mind, where you sow your seeds not only for you, but for the legacy of a community. Water and our ability to use this element wisely is a great teacher. Thank you for your work! I hope your wisdom and the wisdom of all people who have practical experience with their water abundance projects will reach many more humans. As you and those people bring very valuable wisdoms to society.

Been wanting to build something like this, and it's amazing to see a real case! Amazing job

Great design work Eric and thank you Andrew for making this informative video. Good to know that permits became retroactive... and that people can make small changes with big positive impacts.

Now they just need a Viktor Shauberger inspired water fountain for the ponds. RIP Viktor

Amazing story, Andrew, amazing! Thank you!

Bonjour. Mon pere a travaille en tant que technicien hydraulicien pendant une trentaine d'annee jusqu'a la fin de sa vie . Chaque fois les video d'andree millison me donne des inspiration et reveille en moi un grand devoir de memoire en honneur du grand travail qu'a laissé mon pere . Semons l'avenir durable pour la planete que nous souhaitons transmettre a nos enfants future generations. Jean claude from Rwanda.

Glad the water genius system can perhaps the regulations that will support the sustainability of everyone's future.

I learn from you many thanks, and I want you say thank you so so much!

Thank you for sharing. LOVE & HUGS

Farm I grew up on had successive ponds (Appalachia) and it never shrunk our local creek. When someone dammed the creek, THAT screwed things up. Killed downstream life, etc., and by the time we got the dam removed, life didn't recover for nearly 15 years in the creek. Believe: keeping water in ponds keeps it in the ground, which keeps the water table happy, which means creeks are happy!

Amazing, Andrew. Thank you for your efforts. I would love to see people who don't have land or interest in hands on operations to assist with the legal and commitment to helping change laws as needed. Often office work and appointments with officials. Things like changing laws to allow kinder smaller slaughter methods and local production promotion, Applications of hydrology like this on individual or district levels, General advocacy work for individuals and districts, Promotion within communities to encourage ANY landowner or householders to add to the vitality of their neighbourhood with less short lawns, healthier water runoff, growth of native vegetation, etc. There is so much on that interface that needs to be done, and often farmer tyoes don't have the time or expertise to either do it, or stategise.

Thank you again for another fantastic video

I am from Sri Lanka we built this System 2000 years before (Ellanga system)“Ellanga Gammana” or Cascade Tank-Village system helps efficient management of water resources flowing through a network of small to large tanks for agricultural purposes and human consumption in the dry zone

It's a beautiful property what a beautiful piece of land and the way you laid it out it is just pure genius .❤

It’s alright with you lot and your vast expanses of land you own in the US. We’re limited to much smaller and way more expensive anyway but of land here in the UK !

Awesome job! brilliant ideas to conserve water for life of the communities!

Love it! It is functional and looks beautiful too. But I wonder, do the cattle have access to the ponds? It could be nice for the animals but could potentially pollute the water system.

Thank you for including the bit on permitting

well done Andrew and Zach! and well done to the client land-owners who had the vision for such an integrated socio-landscape

It's amazing and Very well designed!!!

Brilliant!

This is fantastic. Switching from a mentality of humans do harm to the land, thus, regulate to mitigate impact, to a mindset of humans can make the environment better through good design and understanding of ecosystems, so regulations should focus on restoration and fairness, that is a game-changer. I'm definitely going to look into the permaculture design class.

Love watching your videos!

So cool!! Serious Sepp Holzer vibes.

To those that say its unfair to the farms downstream, should know that the ponds are unlined and water still leaves the system albeit slowly rather than in a gush like in the rainy season.

This makes me think of Pardot Kynes' vision for Arrakis.

this is incredible i hope the whole country does this some day soon.

I own 6 ponds in WV and my grandfather built them in the 80s. The state flew over because a neighbors pond busted. They seen ours and now we have to hire a engineering firm approved by the state at around $25k to prove if one bust what will happen downstream.

What an inspiring project and a beautifully made film. Hopefully there has now been enough flooding in the UK for these principles and techniques to be implemented far and wide. We can say it was their idea ;-)

Im in Trail on 6 acres on a hillside and am determined to apply swales and a pond to restore the watershed for the summer months. Inspiring and informative vid, thank you 🇺🇲

Andrew you’ve give me the name for my permaculture design business here in Australia thanks mate you are a legend

great work.

planting grass makes a huge difference, the roots open up the soil to allow rain to penetrate the sod layer instead of running off

Another great video

Very inspiring to see people create beauty.

Astounding just marvelous

Beautiful and sensible. Awesome 👍

This is awesome.

This person is playing Timberborne IRL, love to see it!

Awesome 👍

Awesome project, wow! Thank you!

We use the same technic in Brazil, there is even a property with more than 40 ponds to haverest rain water.

Genius work as always!

Beautiful project beautifully explained!

This is brilliant work!! So glad to see water recharge projects happening close to home. Side note: I’m guessing the water lily at 3:30 is a hybrid ornamental, but if it’s Nymphaea odorata (straight species), then watch out!

Called key line farming developed by P A Yoman in the 50's in NSW Australia on a property called me Narallen after his children if i recall correctly. P A Yoman wrote a book called Water for Every Farm which I found in a shed while I was breaking horses as a 15 year old. The book inspired me to become a farmer. It is still in print I think. I still have the book 50 years later

100 years ago ... Mysore Dynasty did something similar and till this day in Karnataka ( Bangalore - Mysore ) the region has abundant underground water !

We need you in LA Professor Millison. You should be redesigning the LA River. Lot's of opportunity for local ponds through LA, instead we shoot the water out to the ocean as fast as possible.

On my farm I have a 6 acre lake that’s higher and runs into my 12 acre lake. It works great. Plus I have a 1/2 acre grow out pond and a 5 acre duck hole and a 2 acre Teal field next to the 12 acre one. The duck hole is planted in corn every year and the teal field either in corn or millet.

We did this on my place multiple tall hills with a valley in between. 8 large ponds back to back, completely changed the landscape. Coal mine destroyed the water table so we needed a way to water our plant nursery, orchards, and cows.