The Waters of Life...Building "Check Dams" in India
"Check-dams" are small barriers built across the direction of water flow on shallow rivers and streams for the purpose of water harvesting. The small dams retain excess water flow during monsoon rains in a small catchment area behind the structure. Pressure created in the catchment area helps force the impounded water into the ground. The major environmental benefit is the replenishment of nearby groundwater reserves and wells. The water entrapped by the dam, surface and subsurface, is primarily intended for use in irrigation during the monsoon and later during the dry season, but can also be used for livestock and domestic needs.
Compared with large-scale high-tech approaches to water management, check-dams appear to be a more appropriate technology for poor rural areas such as the Bundelkhand Region. For instance, in contrast to modern large dam projects, check-dams are a lower cost and less environmentally and socially disruptive alternative for irrigation.
 Check-dams do not submerge large tracts of land or alter river courses. In contrast to large dams and other, technology, skilled labor, financial resources and maintenance needed for check-dams are relatively minimal, making them more accessible to poor farmers. The initial investment made can usually be recovered in one or two seasons through the ensuing increases in agricultural production.
From an environmental perspective, small-scale water harvesting structures such as check-dams also seem to be the best choice since
In cooperation with the Rotary Club of Mumbai Borivali East,  Rotary International District 3140, the Rotary Club
of Sharpstown applied for was granted a matching grant from the Rotary Foundation in order to build check dams in an area of India where drought reigned for 6 to 8 months each year following the monsoon season.
This area now "harvests" the monsoon waters and the wells in the area remain viable almost all year round.
At the right is a check dam retention pond after the end of the monsoon season. Before the dam all this water would have disappeared down stream and be lost to the villagers nearby. |
