Post-Impoundment Investigation of Gravity-Driven Irrigation Ponds in Central Bolivia |
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Authors: | John R. Kuiper Paul F. Hudak |
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Affiliation: | University of North Texas , Denton, Texas, USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of rain-fed farm ponds for sustaining agriculture in semi-arid, southeastern Cochabamba, Bolivia. Farm ponds store runoff from foothills in the study area, delivering it by gravity flow to lowlands. A typical pond has a 1,000 m3 storage capacity and serves four families. The ponds have become a common farming practice in the study area. They increase agricultural output by supplementing a sparse rainfall pattern. The ponds and complementary structures such as rock check dams have also alleviated soil erosion in the study area. |
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Keywords: | Bolivia irrigation farm ponds |
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