The Problems With Water and Restoring Water Tables. A Preliminary Plan

The historic floods of these past few years have just begun to show us what we could be facing if we continue to pump carbon into the atmosphere and continue the forms of agriculture introduced in the last hundred years and during the green revolution. This past winter of 2002-23 in California we saw the historic floods destroying towns and crops with formerly almost unimaginable rains and snows.

In April and May of 2019 the Arkansas River was flowing backwards and into the tributary rivers, destroying homes, and towns and overflowing into lakes upstream. There were record and near-record snows in the Rockies where the Arkansas River starts. Then warm spring rains accelerate the snow melt. Add to that over fifty inches of rain in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas between January and May.

Hurricane Ida in September of 2021. Flooding all the way from Louisiana to New York, New Jersey, and New England. The floods in North America in the last ten years are almost too numerous to keep track of. A few springs ago we saw historic 100-year record floods in Japan, Germany, and India all within ten days. Last year the flooding in Pakistan left over one-third of the country under water. Just the flooding and droughts from the last ten years are almost impossible to keep track of. Many Hurricanes with much more force, higher wind speeds, and rain potential than seen historically.

How high are the stakes if we do nothing or do not do enough? The estimated cost of droughts in North America since 1980 can only be estimated with the current economic systems that leave so much off-book externalization out of the monetary calculations. Estimated at 249 billion since 1980. Such externalization as the loss of wildlife, the loss of crop production and stored fertility in the soil, the actual cost of carbon in the environment, additions to the cost of cooling homes and commercial spaces, excessive wear to machinery from overheating, dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, etc. NOAA estimates the cost of weather and climate disasters in 2021 at over three-quarters of a trillion US dollars just for droughts, inland flooding, and severe storms. Then there are other events like all the massive wildfires, the Snowmageddon event in Texas and the mid-south, increasing tornado and hurricane strengths, hail storms, and on and on. When NOAA totals all weather-related events for 2021 it is at least 2.15 trillion with a Capital T. That’s just one year! The total cost for the proposed Green New Deal was only three trillion dollars over ten years. We can afford to do a continent-wide water system to help save the planet? We can afford renewable electricity and transportation. We can afford a nationwide modern electric high-speed rail system. It will cost us much more in the long run to continue the antiquated fossil fuel path we are on.

With the continued warming of the planet, we are starting to see an increasing problem with water. Sometimes too much and sometimes not enough. The heat allows the air to hold more moisture. This can make the rain and other storms more intense. It also allows the ground to dry faster. If the soil has no coverage from grass, trees, or leaf litter it dries much more quickly. When the soil still has moisture evaporation carries away much of the heat. If the soil loses all of the moisture it starts to overheat. Once it starts to overheat the heat will start to kill off the worms and other insects that help keep the soil healthy. The bacteria and fungi that help plants absorb nutrients and minerals from the soil start to die off. Once the soil is dead it is much harder for it to absorb moisture. Soil that is alive breathes and takes in moisture at night even if there is no rain. If the soil has live active plant coverage, the live plants on it help dew form.

What kind of a water system could be designed to control floods, and move water to wherever it is driest using siphons or bell siphons and/ or something like drilling tunnels through mountains? Ones that are similar to the systems for underground mining, or those used to build underground bases. Also moving water around with canals above ground, like a continent-wide system helps prevent further depletion of water tables, helps reverse desertification, and slows global warming. Also using some of the Permaculture ideas about water to rehydrate the landscape. Adding in micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation at whatever scale, to minimize the amount of electricity from fossil fuel or other renewable sources. Adding in considerations for using small and medium ponds and dams, wetlands, wildlife, and other sensitive areas. And creating newly constructed wetlands to purify waters and remove toxins, before they contaminate water tables, reach the oceans and pollute coastal areas, and damage ecosystems.

A comprehensive water system designed to control floods and move water to wherever it is driest would require careful planning, engineering, and implementation. Here are some of the components that could be included in such a system:

1. Canals and pipelines: Canals and pipelines could be used to transport water from areas with high water levels to areas with low water levels. This could be done above ground, underground, or through tunnels drilled through mountains. New usefulness of materials like Hempcrete that are not so toxic as plastics and some metals, and can be carbon negative.
2. Siphons and bell siphons: Siphons and bell siphons are low-cost and low-tech solutions for moving water. They could be used to carry water uphill or over long distances.
3. Small and medium ponds and dams: Small and medium ponds and dams could be used to store water and release it gradually during dry periods. These could also be used for micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation. Several types of waterwheels both overshot and undershot are effective in low flow or low head situations.
4. Wetlands: Wetlands are natural filters that can help purify water and remove toxins. Creating new wetlands could be an effective way to prevent water contamination and improve water quality.
5. Permaculture principles: Permaculture principles could be used to design the water system in a way that mimics natural ecosystems and maximizes water efficiency.
6. Wildlife and sensitive areas: Careful consideration would need to be given to protecting wildlife and sensitive areas during the construction and operation of the water system.
7. Climate change mitigation: The water system could be designed to help slow global warming by reducing the depletion of water tables, reversing desertification, and promoting the growth of vegetation.

Overall, a well-designed water system could have multiple benefits, including flood control, drought mitigation, water conservation, renewable energy generation, and environmental protection. However, the implementation of such a system would require significant resources and expertise, as well as careful consideration of potential environmental and social impacts.

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There are several possible water systems that could be designed to control floods and move water to areas that need it most, using a combination of techniques you mentioned. Here are some possible components of such a system:

1. Siphons and Bell Siphons: These can be used to move water from higher elevations to lower ones, or to control the flow of water in channels. For example, a bell siphon could be used to regulate the water level in a pond or wetland.
2. Tunnels: Tunnels could be drilled through mountains or other obstacles to move water from one watershed to another. This would require significant engineering and construction expertise, but could be an effective way to transport water over long distances.
3. Canals: Above-ground canals could be constructed to move water from one location to another. This could involve digging channels and lining them with concrete or other materials to prevent leaks and erosion.
4. Micro and Mini-Hydroelectric Power: Water flowing through canals or other channels could be used to generate electricity, which could be used to power the system and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
5. Ponds and Dams: Small and medium-sized ponds and dams could be used to capture and store water for later use. This could be especially useful in areas where rainfall is sporadic or unreliable.
6. Wetlands: Constructed wetlands could be used to purify water and remove toxins before it reaches water tables or other sensitive areas. Wetlands also provide important habitats for wildlife and help control erosion.
7. Permaculture Design: Using Permaculture principles, the system could be designed to maximize the use of natural resources and minimize waste. This could involve using water-efficient crops, composting organic waste, and designing the system as self-sustaining as possible.

Overall, a comprehensive water management system would require significant planning, engineering, and investment, but could have many benefits, including reducing the risk of floods, reversing desertification, and promoting sustainable agriculture and economic development.

Reestablishing healthy ecosystems. Just like the return of the Wolf to the Wild Ecosystems in the West helped restore the balance in Riparian areas, the reintroduction and protection of the Beaver must be considered one of our top priorities.

Beavers play an important role in ecosystem restoration, particularly in areas with drought conditions. By building dams and lodges, beavers create new wetlands, which can help to increase water retention and improve water quality. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on the biodiversity of the surrounding area.

One of the primary benefits of beaver dams is their ability to help restore water tables. When beavers build dams, they create pools of water that can help to recharge the groundwater system. In areas with drought conditions, this can be especially important, as groundwater can become depleted over time. By retaining water in the landscape, beaver dams can help to ensure that there is sufficient water for plants and animals, even during times of drought.

Another important benefit of beaver dams is their ability to create new habitats for a variety of species. Wetlands created by beavers can provide critical habitat for a variety of fish, amphibians, and birds, among other species. These wetlands can also provide important foraging habitat for many animals, including moose, elk, and deer.

Additionally, beaver dams can help to improve water quality. By trapping sediment and pollutants, beaver dams can help to remove excess nutrients and pollutants from the water. This can help to prevent harmful algal blooms and improve the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. https://bioneers.org/beaver-believers-how-to-restore-planet-water/

Overall, beavers can play a critical role in ecosystem restoration, particularly in areas with drought conditions. By creating new wetlands, restoring water tables, and improving water quality, beavers can help to support the diversity of wildlife in the surrounding area.

The protection of beaver populations and programs for the reintroduction of beavers into former natural habitat areas must be developed. This will help reestablish and restore water tables and biodiversity in depleted areas and help in creating more wetlands.

Here is a Preliminary Plan outline to help implement the idea of protecting beaver populations and reintroducing them into former natural habitats:

1. Conduct a feasibility study: Before beginning any reintroduction program, it’s important to conduct a feasibility study to determine the current state of the environment and the potential impacts of reintroducing beavers. This study should include assessments of water tables, vegetation, and wildlife populations in the area.
2. Establish partnerships: Develop partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to increase support and funding for the project. This could include environmental groups, universities, landowners, and government agencies.
3. Select suitable reintroduction sites: Identify areas where beavers have historically lived or where their presence could positively impact the environment. These areas should have access to water sources and suitable vegetation for the beavers to thrive.
4. Obtain necessary permits: Secure all necessary permits and permissions to reintroduce beavers into the selected sites. This may involve coordination with government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
5. Monitor beaver populations: Establish monitoring programs to track the success of the reintroduction efforts and ensure that the beaver populations are thriving. This could include regular surveys of beaver populations, assessments of water quality and biodiversity, and tracking of vegetation changes.
6. Educate the public: Educate the public about the importance of beavers in ecosystem restoration and the benefits of reintroducing them into natural habitats. This could include public presentations, educational materials, and outreach programs.
7. Evaluate the program: Regularly evaluate the reintroduction program to assess its success and identify areas for improvement. This may involve adjusting the reintroduction strategy, modifying monitoring protocols, or making changes to partnerships or outreach efforts.

By following these steps, it is possible to successfully protect beaver populations and reintroduce them into former natural habitat areas, helping to restore water tables and biodiversity in depleted areas and creating more wetlands. Historically we have seen many of the problems that are caused by giant water projects. As much as I loved the big man-made lakes when I was young, We now see how appropriate small and local projects will be key to restoring water and food systems to some kind of balance with the natural world. It still may take some grand projects to save a livable climate on our little planet, but we must consider what is really appropriate to accomplish this mission. Some things may just become like the giant empty lakes of the West if we continue down an unsustainable path. This was the Garden of Eden, and it could be again.