Creation of cascades and innovative solutions for water retention and detainment
DREVO Water Cascade Engineering
Concept
The main task of DREVO cascades isDon't store water in one place, but maximize the time it stays in the landscape.
Traditional hydraulic engineering aims to quickly divert water through canals and rivers. The systemDREVO Living Mountainsworks in the opposite way: water must pass through thousands of natural and engineered obstacles, gradually moving from surface runoff into soil, then into groundwater, and only then into rivers.
The main principle:
The longer the water's path across land, the greater the ecosystem's resilience.
1. Microcascade
Height:
10–50 cm
Used:
on the ridges;
upper slopes;
young plantings.
Construction:
natural stone;
log;
wood chips;
biomaterials.
Function:
stopping the first flows;
accumulation of organic matter;
infiltration.
2. Stone crescents
Semicircular stone embankments.
Used:
around the trees;
on dry slopes;
in the steppe regions.
They:
collect rainwater;
reduce evaporation;
protect the soil;
accelerate plant growth.
3. New generation contour terraces
Unlike classic terraces, they have:
smooth shape;
numerous iridescences;
distribution channels;
infiltration windows.
Water is never concentrated in one point.
4. Cascade infiltration bowls
Every 20–100 meters (depending on the slope and estimated flow), bowls of varying depth are created.
Each bowl:
takes water;
cleanses it;
gradually passes it on.
5. Stone sponges
Arrays of large stones are created.
Inside:
voids;
crushed stone;
organics.
This design:
retains water;
reduces evaporation;
creates a cool microclimate.
6. Underground water pockets
Under the layers of stones are created:
infiltration cavities;
crushed stone tanks;
biochar layers.
Water is stored underground, where there is virtually no loss due to evaporation.
7. Forest sponges
The most efficient water storage device.
Consists of:
forest litter;
humus;
roots;
mycelium;
dead wood.
Each hectare of mature forest has the capacity to hold enormous volumes of water, but the actual volume depends on soil type, climate, slope, and forest structure.
8. Living dams
Used:
willows;
alder;
shrubs;
root systems.
They strengthen the banks and slow down the current.
9. Beaver analogues
Artificial structures are being created that replicate the functions of beaver dams.
They:
increase the area of swamping;
feed groundwater;
reduce the flow rate.
10. Biological filters
Each cascade passes through:
cane;
rug;
sedges;
marsh plants.
They purify water at the same time.
11. Deep mulch
Used:
wood chips;
leaves;
straw;
compost.
Thick layer of mulch:
reduces evaporation;
retains moisture;
increases humus.
12. Biochar
Contributed locally.
He:
retains water;
increases soil capacity;
creates an environment for microorganisms.
13. Underground capillary reservoirs
Layers form beneath the surface:
coarse crushed stone;
wood;
organics;
biochar.
They slowly return water to the soil.
14. The "Sponge + Wood" System
Near each tree the following is created:
cup;
stone circle;
organic layer;
biochar.
Each tree becomes a local water storage facility.
15. Infiltration fields
At the foothills, areas ranging from several hundred square meters to tens of hectares are created.
During floods they:
take water;
slowly transfer it into groundwater.
16. Multi-level overflows
Each cascade has:
main overflow;
emergency overflow;
backup overflow.
This prevents the system from being damaged during extreme rainfall.
17. Underground wooden tanks
The following are laid in the trenches:
log;
branches;
wood chips.
The design resembles the methodshugel culture, but is used as an engineering element for retaining moisture on slopes.
Wood retains water for decades.
18. Cascades of dead wood
Fallen trees are not removed completely.
They:
slow down the flow;
retain organic matter;
nourish the soil;
create wet areas.
19. Underground microtunnels
Earthworms, roots and soil fauna create a natural network of channels.
The project stimulates the development of this structure through:
organic farming;
refusal of deep plowing;
development of mycorrhiza.
20. Mushroom net
Mycorrhiza connects thousands of trees.
She:
distributes water;
redistributes power;
increases forest stability.
21. Biomineral water-retaining materials
For degraded soils, natural materials can be used:
zeolites;
bentonite clays;
volcanic tuff;
porous ceramic granules.
They increase soil moisture capacity without the use of synthetic polymers.
22. Rocky infiltration galleries
In areas with fractured rocks, shallow distribution galleries and trenches are created to direct water to natural filtration zones.
This is especially effective in limestone and volcanic formations.
23. Smart control cascades
Small automated water control devices can be used in key areas:
adjustable overflows;
level sensors;
automatic shutters.
Their work is coordinated by the systemWOOD AI And Living Mountain Observatory, allowing you to adapt the water retention mode to weather conditions.
Digital control
All cascades are integrated with:
Living Mountain Observatory;
Mountain Digital Twin;
TREVO AeroSense Drone;
WOOD AI.
The system continuously analyzes:
efficiency of each cascade;
infiltration rate;
sediment accumulation;
humidity level;
need for maintenance.
The principle of distributed storage
Instead of one large reservoir, the following are created:
millions of microcascades;
thousands of infiltration bowls;
hundreds of swamps;
tens of thousands of trees;
kilometers of forest corridors.
It is their joint work that creates the largest reservoir of fresh water.
The main idea of DREVO
The best reservoir is not a dam.
The best reservoir ishealthy soil, mature forest, restored springs, and millions of small cascades distributed throughout the watershed.
This approach makes the system significantly more resilient to extreme rainfall, prolonged droughts, and climate change, as water is stored where it is most useful—in soil, vegetation, and underground aquifers—not just in large surface reservoirs.