Water Storage on Farms

Abstract

On many farms in subhumid and semi-arid regions, lack of sufficient water storage capacity is a greater constraint than lack of water itself. For all that these regions are prone to erratic rainfall, ephemeral flow of streams, fluctuating groundwater yields, and both seasonal and intermittent droughts, they often have a higher agricultural potential than is generally realized. However, this can only be achieved if the precarious water resources are skilfully developed, integrated and managed. Skill and good judgement are needed to store and utilize surplus water from periods of good rain to help bridge shortfalls in dry periods. Much potentially useful water is still lost for lack of sufficient storage capacity.