In 2011, with the guidance of Sepp Holzer, we constructed a retention area with approximately three times the capacity of “Lake 1.” This significant feat involved the construction of a large dam at the southern end of Tamera's property, positioned close to the watershed divide and designed to avoid runoff even in the heaviest centennial rainfall.

We aimed to transition from a region characterized by seasonal water abundance to one equipped to efficiently capture, store, and utilize rainfall year-round, thus mitigating the aridity that pervades our landscape in the dry summer months.

Located at the highest point of the valley, water flowing from this large retention space stabilizes the water levels of subsequent retention spaces lower in the landscape. Its catchment area spans approximately 30 hectares, and all its inflows originate solely from our lands.

This localized approach allows us to take full responsibility for the sustainable stewardship of our water resources, fostering a self-sufficient ecosystem that thrives in harmony with its surroundings.

The dam of a water retention space, depicted in the gallery, consists entirely of natural material – no artificial film or concrete is used. The vertical sealing layer of the dam consists of as fine a material as available – ideally clay – for which optimally the material excavated from the deep zones is used. It is connected to a watertight layer of subsoil that sometimes lies a few meters below the surface. The sealing layer is compacted and built up layer by layer with fine, earth-moist material. Then it is piled up from both sides with mixed earth material, covered with humus or topsoil, and can then be landscaped and planted on.