Building Check Dams At The Ranch Property: Arizona Urban Farms in Apache County, AZ

This video documents our intention to begin the steps for regenerative land management at this property. The check dams are designed to slow errosion and retain as much moisture in the land as possible.
Stay tuned for more videos and our progress.

[@prunabluepepper]

The water will most likely just wash away your stones. Water is very powerful even when it flows slowly, as it makes soil creep away under each rock. You might want to watch videos from those Indian and African water management projects.
Just like you, they build little dams, retaining walls and reservoirs.
With your rocky soil you'll face different issues on top.
The soil capillaries aren't receptive yet to hold water, so it's difficult for rain to sink and seep into the ground water. Simultaneously you'll have a lot of evaporation.
Those shallow creek beds are good to plant flowers, sure, but better plant shrubbery. They have deeper roots, and hold the soil together better. They also give more shade to stop evaporation, cool the den and collect dew, which keeps the soil moist. Moist soil can accept water much better than dry soil when it rains.
You can also dig side arms so water can flow lateral and reach a larger area.
Later on lebt trees. Trees suck water up and raise the whole water table. On a hillside that means the water table has a smoother down ward curve.
You might also want to consider a shaded or covered stone reservoir.
For the beginning you can dig trenches out sinkholes. Anything that collects water and forces it to go into the ground instead of evaporate or run off.
Subscribed. I really would love to see what happens. 😯

[@PermacultureCowboy]

I agree, I would also suggest making the rock piles quite a bit wider, almost as wide as they are long. This will prevent rocks from tumbling or erosion continuing underneath.

[@whitemountainurbanfarms]

Great points and suggestions.