September 17, 2023
Last year, I read a great book called Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge by Erica Gies. It dives into how new climate disasters remind us every day that our world is not stable—and that it is changing in ways that expose the deep dysfunction of our relationship with water. According to Gies, "a hard truth is emerging: our development, including concrete infrastructure designed to control water, is actually exacerbating our problems. Because sooner or later, water always wins."
THE POWER OF WATER
Water can beat rock, paper, and scissors. Paper, which is mainly made of cellulose wood fibers held together by strong hydrogen bonds, easily dissolves in water. When paper gets wet, these hydrogen bonds are damaged and the fibers separate more easily. The more water, the more the paper falls apart. As for scissors that are made of metal, the oxygen in water reacts to the iron found within the metal which leads to corrosion, commonly known as rust. This rust worsens over time and eventually the scissors are no more. Last but not least, we have all seen what water can do to rock. Flowing water, over a long period of time, carves out what can be huge canyons out of solid rock.
I know what you are thinking. "But beating rock and scissors would take a really long time." Yep, unless we cheat! Humans are not patient and so invented the waterjet, which is a tool used to cut metal and stone with a (very) high-pressure stream of water.
Water, slow or fast, is the ultimate sculptor of earth.
WHAT'S WATER GOT TO DO WITH IT?... 🎶 got to do with it? 🎵
The relationship your yard and or messy garden has with water will very depending on size and location. Another factor is surface type. If you have a concrete driveway, or walk way, you have impervious surfaces. Meaning, it doesn't allow water to flow through it. This type of material aids in water runoff.
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), water run off is water that remains above the surface, accumulates, and runs off in large amounts. Modern civilizations tend to speed water away, erasing its slow phases on the land. For example, North American cities install storm sewer systems that quickly channel water runoff from roads and other impervious surfaces. Runoff gathers speed once it enters the storm sewer system and is eventually lost to the Ocean. Seems like a waste of resources if you ask me!
When we step back and ask ourselves what water’s true nature is, we can see that it is to flex with the rhythms of the earth. Water is utilized best through the slow phases that absorb floods, store water for droughts, and feed local ecosystems. By figuring out what water wants, we can learn to accommodate its desires within our yards. This accommodation is now a crucial survival strategy, not only for the wildlife around us, but ourselves as well.
ALLOWING WATER TO SLOW DOWN
We as land owners (or anyone with outdoor space) have a few options to help water meander. Unfortunately, most of us don't own enough land in which Beavers would be of any use. Too bad, beavers have superpowers! Don't believe me? Check out The SUPERPOWER Field Guide: Beavers by Rachel Poliquin. 🦫
Here is a list of ways we can help, without a furry beaver friend.
(Expand each one for more info.)
Save water (and money!) with a rain barrel system.
Ditch the lawn. (That out dated 1950's style one.)
Create a rain garden.
Add a marsh pond.
I have been working to protect and improve local water quality through land conservation and volunteerism. So far, I've installed two rain barrels and dug a small pond with a bog. My next project will be installing a rain garden.
Since starting this water adventure, I've found several extra benefits other than saving money on my water bill and saving time by not having to water a lawn.
Just this past month, I was tickled pink to find out that I have, not one, but three full time residents living in my pond.
Native trees, shrubs and other plants play an important role in reducing runoff and preventing excess nutrients and sediment from entering our streams, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. They also provide a plethora of “co-benefits,” such as habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, moderating temperatures and providing opportunities for recreation. By working together and utilizing our yards to slow down water, we can improve water quality across the globe.
Action item
Take the time to look into any of the suggestion I presented and see if you could put your yard to work, slowing water down. (rain barrels, rain garden, add small pond, ditch the lawn)
So I want a rain barrel! Your dad is working on bringing water from the pond up to the garden!