The Government of the National State of Tigray

Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education & Training

AGRICULTURE

Unit of Competence:
Design & Layout Soil and Water Conservation Measures

Module Title:
Designing & Laying out Soil and Water Conservation Measures

LG Code: AGR NCD3 09 0117

TTLM Code: NCD3 TTLM 09 0117V1

LO# 1 Identify and select appropriate measures to be designed

LO# 2 Applying Design Procedures
LO# 3 Prepare specification schedule
LO# 4 Interpret plans and specifications
LO# 5 Relate plan to site
LO# 6 Peg project

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 Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures
Introduction Unit
Module Designing & lay outing Soil and Water Conservation measures

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following
content coverage and topics –
 Identify and select appropriate measures to be designed
 Applying design procedures
 Prepare specification schedule
 Interpret plans and specifications
 Relate plan to site
 Peg project

Learning Activities
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.
2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet”
3. Accomplish the “Self-check”.
4. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to the next “Information Sheet”.
However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your facilitator for further instructions or
go back to Learning Activity.
5. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
6. Read and Practice “Operation Sheets”.
7. If you think you are ready proceed to “Job Sheet”.
8. Request you facilitator to observe your demonstration of the exercises and give you
feedback.

Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures

2
 INFORMATION Module Designing & lay outing Soil and Water Conservation measures
SHEET # 1 LO1 Identify and select appropriate measures to be designed

1. Introduction
Your selection of the best soil erosion and sediment controls for your site should be primarily based upon the
nature of the construction activity and the conditions which exist at the construction site.
The first, and most desirable strategy for erosion and sediment control is to implement practices on the field
to minimize soil detachment, erosion, and transport of sediment from the field.
 Objectives of soil and water conservation plan:
 Minimize the amount of disturbed soil
 Prevent runoff to offsite areas
 Slow down the runoff flowing across the site
 Keep sediment onsite
 To preserve the ecological system or landscape and to prevent disasters resulting from erosion,
landslide, and debris
 Improving the soil environment for vegetative growth by regulating the water table and ground water
flow
 Removing surface runoff and pounded water
2. Erosion control and design principles
«It is better to control the initiation of soil erosion than to reclaim the eroded land»
Types of erosion Recommended design
prevention method
1. Splash Erosion  Protecting land
 Splash erosion results from direct impact of drops of rain on soil surface with
particles vegetation, mulch
 Impact breaks bonds between particles, dislodges them and splashes or erosion control
them into the air blankets
 Dislodged soil particles are easily transported by flow of runoff
2. Sheet erosion  Protecting land
 is removal of a thin layer of exposed surface soil by the action of surface with
raindrop splash and runoff vegetation, mulch
 Water moves in broad sheets over land, picks up particles and carries or erosion control
them along as it flows downhill blankets
3. Rill Erosion  Controlled by:
 As runoff moves down a slope, it cuts small paths or rills Keeping runoff

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  Water flowing through these paths detaches more soil from their sides velocities slow
and bottoms
 Rate of rill erosion can be approximately 100X > sheet erosion
4. Gully Erosion  Controlled by:
 In gully erosion, soil is removed rapidly by: Water gushing over the Keeping runoff
head cut or uphill end velocities slow
 Concentrated flow scouring sides and bottom
 Water removing soils slumped from sidewalls
5. Stream Erosion  Controlled by:
 Results from increased volume, velocity and/or duration of flow, and Keeping runoff
concentration of flow velocities slow

Design soil and water conservation measures and structures

SELF-CHECK Unit
#1 Module Design soil and water conservation measures and structures
LO 1 Identify and select appropriate measures to be designed

I. Match the following question from Column B with the descriptions in Column A.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
____1. Erosion results from direct impact of drops of rain on soil particles A. Rill erosion
____2. Is removal of a thin layer of exposed surface soil by the action of B.Splash erosion
raindrop splash and runoff
____3. Controlled by Keeping runoff velocities slow C. Erosion control
D. Sheet erosion
____4. Slow down the runoff flowing across the site.

II. Give a short answer

1. What is the difference and similarities between gully and rill erosion?
2. List about three objectives of soil and water conservation plan?

INFORMATION Unit Design soil and water conservation measures and structures
SHEET # 2 Module Design Soil and water conservation measures and structures
LO 2 Applying design procedures

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 2.1 Identifying total catchments
A catchment is a basin shaped area of land, bounded by natural features such as hills or mountains from
which surface and sub surface water flows into streams, rivers and wetlands. The system of streams which
transport water, sediment and other material from a catchment is called drainage network.
Investigating your catchment is in three parts:
1. First, identify the boundaries of your catchment and make a working (base) map.
2. Then gather all the available information you can about your catchment.
3. Next, get out and conduct a field assessment of your catchment
2.2 Calculating Catchments characteristics
Parameters of a catchment
 Catchment’s Area
 Channel length
 Average channel slope
 Average slope steepness
 Time of concentration (t): is defined as the time needed for water to flow from the most
remote point in a watershed to the watershed outlet. It is a function of the topography,
geology, and land use within the watershed

Factors used to determine catchment characteristics

I] Physiographic: It includes the following aspects

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 (i) Size: Both runoff volume and runoff rate increases with the watershed size. However, both the rate
and the volume per unit of watershed decrease with an increase in its area. The size of watershed
is thus an important parameter in determining the peak rate of runoff.
(ii) Shape: Elongated and narrow watersheds are likely to have longer time of concentration resulting
in the lower runoff rates as compared to the square shaped watersheds of the same size. The time of
concentration also affects the amount of water that will eventually infiltrate into the soil in the
watershed.
(iii) Land slope: Slope also has a major implication for the land use. The speed and extent of runoff
depends on slope of the land. The steeper in slope the higher the velocity of flow of the runoff
water.
Land slope cannot be directly changed but it can be modified by us through terraces and contour bund.
The land slope in percent can be determined from a topographic map by the following formula:
S = (MN/A) X 100
Where: M = Total length of all contours within a watershed (m)
N = Contour interval (m)
A = Area of watershed (m2)
(iv) Drainage density and pattern: The drainage density also affects the runoff pattern and intensity.
High drainage density drains runoff water rapidly, decreases the lag time and also increases the
peak of hydrograph.
Drainage density = Total length of all stream (km)/Catchments area (km2)
II] Soils and Geology: The soil and the geology of the watershed determines the amount of percolating
water, and also governed by the corrective measures, which may be taken for improvement.
III] Vegetative cover: The type and quality of vegetative cover on watershed land has a substantial
influence on runoff, infiltration rate, erosion and sediment production and also on the rate of evaporation. A
dense cover of vegetation is a most powerful tool for reducing erosion.
IV] Precipitation: The amount and nature of precipitation is the most important factor, which determines
what will happen in a watershed. Rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year has a different impact as
compared to sudden, sharp showers or seasonal rainfall.
V] Peak runoff: It is the main design parameter for designing the soil and water conservation measures.

2.2 Estimation of runoff

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Runoff occurs only when the rate of precipitation, i.e. its intensity, exceeds the rate of infiltration.
Estimation of runoff is required for the design of soil and water conservation structures. In designing
spillway and outlets or waterways, estimates of peak runoff rates are required, while for assessing the
storage in earthen dams, tanks and ponds, the estimates of total runoff volumes or water yield are required.
2.2.1 Rainfall and runoff relationship
Rainfall is the primary source of water for runoff generation over the land surface. In common course of rain
fall occurrence over the land surface, a part it is intercepted by the vegetations, buildings and other objects,
lying over the land surface and prevent, to reach them on ground surface, called Interception. Some parts
of rainfall are also stored in the surface depressions, called depression storage, which in due course of time
gets infiltrated or evaporated. When all these losses are satisfied, then excess rainfall moves over the land
surface and reaches to the smaller rills, known as overland flow. It again involves building of greater
storage over the land surface and draining the same in to channels or streams is termed as runoff.
Thus, runoff may be defined as that portion of rainfall as well as any other flow, which makes its way
towards the river, stream or oceans etc.
2.2.2 Factors affecting runoff
The runoff rate and runoff volume from an area are mainly influenced by the following two factors.
A. Climatic factors:-
The climatic factors of the watershed affecting the runoff, are mainly associated with the characteristics of
precipitation, which include:
 Types of precipitation
 Rainfall intensity
 Duration of rainfall
 Rainfall distribution
 Direction of prevailing wind and others
B. Physiographic factors;
It consists of both the watershed as well as channel characteristics. The different characteristics of
watershed and channel, which affect the runoff, are listed below:
 Size of watershed
 Shape of watershed
 Slope of watershed
 Land use
 Soil moisture
 Soil type
 Drainage density

2.2.3. Methods of Runoff computation

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Accurate computation of runoff amount is difficult, as it depends up on several factors concerned
with atmosphere and watershed characteristics, so to evaluate which effect on runoff is not so easy.
A. Rational method
This is a most common method used to predict the peak runoff rate defined as the maximum runoff, to be
used as capacity for a given structure that must carry the runoff. Rational method used the following formula
for computing the design runoff:
Q peak = CIA
Where,
Q peak= peak runoff rate
C= runoff coefficient
I = rainfall intensity (mm/h)
A= watershed area, hectare
Assumptions of rational method
The above equation was developed, using the following assumptions:
1. Rainfall occurs at a uniform intensity throughout the watershed area
2. Runoff coefficient(C). Runoff coefficient, expresses the view, about the fraction of rainfall resulting
in to surface runoff. It may be defined as the ratio of the runoff and rainfall. It is a dimensionless
factor. Its values are assigned on the basis of land use and soil types. The C values can vary from
close to zero to 1.0. A low C value indicates that, most of the water is retained for a time on the
ground surface and soaking in to the ground or forming puddles, where as a high C value means that
most of the rain water converts in to runoff rapidly. Well vegetated areas have low C values. The
paved surfaces or other impermeable surface have a high C values. Also, steep soil surface involves a
high value of C, as there less water is retained or soaked in to the soil.
3. Rainfall intensity. Rainfall intensity is defined as the rate of fall of rainfall, expressed as depth per-
unit time (mm/hour). It is also expressed, as the ratio of total amount of rainfall to its duration.
Table 1: Value of coefficient of runoff {C} used in rational method
Vegetative cover and Soil Texture
slope Sandy loam Clay and silty Loam Stiff clay
Cultivated land
0 – 5% 0.30 0.50 0.60
5 – 10% 0.40 0.60 0.70
10 – 30 % 0.52 0.72 0.82
Pasture land
0 – 5% 0.10 0.30 0.40
5 – 10% 0.16 0.36 0.55
10 – 30 % 0.22 0.42 0.60
Forest land
0 – 5% 0.10 0.30 0.40
5 – 10% 0.25 0.35 0.50
10 – 30 % 0.30 0.50 0.60
B. Cook's Method

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This method was originally developed by an engineer of the US Soil Conservation Service, and requires an
assessment of some of the main factors which affect runoff - the vegetative cover, the soil type and drainage,
and the land slope.

Select the most appropriate factor from each of these three lists and add them together.
Example: Heavy grass (10) on shallow soils with impeded drainage (30) and moderate slope (10):
CC = 10 + 30 + 10 = 50.

2.3 Methods of design specifications

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2.3.1 Design of bunds
Bunds must be large enough to withstand trampling by livestock or people. Weak bunds break easily if they
are damaged. When first built, bunds should be 50 cm-60 cm high on the up slope side. This is high enough
to allow for the soil in the bund to settle a little, and to trap a pool of water 50 cm deep behind them.
The spacing between bunds depends on several factors. Considerations include:
Steeper slopes need more bunds so they can develop in to bench terraces.
The terraces between the bunds should be wide enough for farming. Farmers who plough
with oxen do not like terraces less than 7 m wide. Farmers who cultivate using hoes may
accept smaller distances between bunds.
Bunds take land out of crop production. For example, a bund 1 m wide every 10 m reduces
the area available for crops by 10%. This means that yields must be at least 10% higher on
the remaining land for the farmers to want to build the bunds.
2.3.2 Design of level soil bund
It is applied generally on cultivated lands with slopes above 3% and below 15% gradient.
Technical standards;
 Minimum height of the bund is 60 cm after compaction.
 The base width is 1-1.2 m in stable soils (1 hor: 2 ver) and 1.2-1.5 in unstable soils (1 hor: 1ver).
 Top width is 30 cm in stable soil and 50 cm in unstable soil.
 The channel shape, depth and width vary with soil, climate and farming system.
 Place Ties (if appropriate) every 3-6 m interval along channel.
 Length of bund can be 30-60 m in most cases, (max. 80m) on slopes 3-5% and it needs to be
staggered for animals to cross.
 Vertical interval; based on slope of the land it can be varied;
 Slope 3-8%, VI = 1-1.5m
 Slope 8-15%, VI = 1-2m
 Slope 15-20%, VI = 1.5-2.5m (only exceptional cases – reinforced)..
2.3.3 Design of level stone bund
It allows for higher stability than soil bunds in slopes >15%.
Technical standards;
Height of the bund is 60-70 cm up to 100 cm(lower side).

The base width; (height/2) + (0.3 – 0.5m)

Top width; 30 – 40cm

Foundation; 0.3m width * 0.3m depth

Bunds need to be spaced staggered for animals to cross

Maximum bund length 60-80m
Ground Height of bund Distance apart
Slope (%) (m) (M)

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5 0.50 20
10 0.50 15
15 0.75 12
20 0.75 10
25 1.00 8
30 1.00 8
35 1.00 6
40 1.00 5
50 1.15 4
(Caution; although the table shows the possibility to build stone bunds up to 50 % slope they should not be
constructed above 35 % slope under Ethiopian conditions).
2.3.4. Design of graded bund
 The design of the graded bund is the same to that of level soil bund, except
1. Channel cross section increases towards the end because of more water concentration e.g. from
25 cm depth and 50 cm width to 50 and 100 cm, respectively and it needs water to
accommodate the accumulated runoff
2. The line where the bund is going to be built is graded line(up to 1%).
Safe gradients for graded bunds
soil Safe gradient (%)
Erodible soils (silty and fine sandy soils 0.25
Moderately erodible (loam soils) 0.5
Less erodible (clay soils) 1.0

Spacing between bunds

Slope Spacing (m)
(%) Sandy soils silt loam soils clay soils
(easily erodible) (moderately erodible) (less erodible soils)
3-8 15-40 20-50 25-60
9-20 8-14 8-19 10-24
21-40 4-7 5-7 5-10
41-50 3-4 3-4.5 4.6-5.8
Source: Daniel, 2001

2.3.5. Design of micro-basin

1. Decide where to plant the trees. Mark a pattern on the ground, staggering the basins on a slope to control
runoff.
2. Diameter: Min 1 m and max 1.5 m. Stone riser: 0.2 m foundation and height 0.2-0.4 cm above ground
based on slopes, Plantation pit: 40 cm diameter x 50 cm depth,
3. Dig a shallow basin around each planting site, piling the soil in to a ridge around the down
slope side, 15 cm from the edge of the basin. Make the ridge 30-50 cm high and 60-90 cm wide.
4. Plant the seedling. In dry areas, plant it in the middle of the basin. In moist areas, plant it in the

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 Ridge of soil you have built on the lower side of the basin so it does not get waterlogged.

2.3.6. Design of check-dams

 How to make wooden check-dams
They are commonly used in parts of Ethiopia to stabilize small gullies.
Technical standards;
1. Brushwood check dams are suitable only for small gullies of less than 1.5-2m depth and 2-3meters wide.
2. Posts with vegetative propagation capacity (such as bamboo) are best and should be also used wherever
available.
3. Thicker branches (6-10cm) will be used as vertical posts. Their height depends on the height of the gully
but should not be more than one meter above the ground. The vertical posts should be driven in to the
soil at least 50-60cm depth, spaced apart 30-50cm. after the posts are driven in to the soil, the thinner
branches or limbs are interwoven through the posts, to form a wall. Each branch should be pushed in to
the banks, up to 30-50cm inside.
4. Spacing; use the same calculation for stone check dams and divide the distance by two or three.

 How to make stone check-dams

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It is commonly used to check gullies on highly eroded grazing land and hillsides. It is not suitable in large
gullies without catchment treatment.
Technical standards;
1. Side key; 0.7 – 1m per side;
2. Bottom key and foundation; 0.5m deep;
3. Height; 1-1.5m excluding foundation;
4. Base width; 1.5-3.5m;
5. Spillway (trapezoidal); 0.25-0.30m permissible depth and 0.25m free board; and width 0.75 -1.2m;
6. Apron at least 50 cm wide on both sides of spill wayfall (1.5-3m wide) and 1m long. But there should be
drop structures before the apron.
7. Spacing =(height (m) * 1.2)/ gully bed slope (decimals)
 How to make Gabion check-dams
Gabion boxes come in different standard sizes: 2 m long × 1 m wide × 1 m high, and 2 m long × 1 m wide×
0.5 m high.
1. Dig a trench 1 m deep in the gully floor. The trench must be as wide as the gully and should be dug in to
the wall to stop water from eroding around the sides of the dam.
2. Place gabion boxes in to the trench,
3. fill the gabion box with stones and
4. Tie the gabion with wire after filed it correctly with stones.
5. Add another layer of gabions on top to raise the height of the dam. Make the sides of the dam higher
than the middle.

Unit Design soil and water conservation measures and structures

SELF-CHECK # 2 Module Design Soil and water conservation measures and structures
LO 2 Applying design procedures

I. Write short answer for the following questions

1. What are the parameters of catchment?
2. Determine the Physiographic aspects of catchments
3. What is the effect of the shape in catchments characteristics?
4. What is runoff?
5. What are the factors affecting run off?
6. Describe the procedures for making level bund by soil?

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 Unit Design soil and water conservation measures and structures
OPERATION
SHEET # 1 Module Design Soil and water conservation measures and structures
LO 2 Applying design procedures

Designing of level and graded bunds

Equipment, Tools and Materials:
 Rope string
 Hammer
 Line level
 Wooden pole
 drawing tools
 Pegs,
 Measuring tapes
Procedure:
1. Prepare all the tools and materials
2. Plan the structure of contour bund.
3. Design a contour bund on paper
4. Lay out the design on the field

Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures

OPERATION
Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
SHEET # 2
LO 2 applying design procedures

Wooden check-dams (Brush Wood Check dam) construction

Purposes:- To protect small gullies and to teach students how to construct wooden check dams based on
the resources availabilities
Equipment, Tools and Materials:
- Line level/A-frame, - Digging instruments - woods
- String, - Measuring tape, - secateurs
- pegs - wire - hammer
Procedure:-
1. Make a set of wooden posts, 5-10 cm in diameter and 1.5-2.5 m long. Sharpen one end of each post to
make it easy to hammer in to the ground.
2. Hammer the posts 0.5-1 m apart, at least 60 cm deep in to the floor of the gully. The spacing between the
posts depends on the height of the check dam: the higher the dam, the looser the posts. For a double row
check dam, make two rows of posts, 50-60 cm between the rows.
3. Weave thinner branches between the posts to form a wall.
4. Dig the branches 50 cm or more in to the side of the gully.
5. Pack brush and other debris behind the wall (or between the rows in a double-row dam).

INFORMATION Unit Design Soil and water conservation measures and structures
SHEET # 3 Module Designing Soil and water conservation measures and structures

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 LO 3 Prepare specification schedule
3.1 Design specifications and Costing
Estimating and costing of soil and water structures For costing of any structure we have to calculate the
quantity and information regarding the current rates. Cost is calculated by following formula:
Cost = Quantity x Rate
Some mathematical formula regarding costing:
Area calculation-
Area of square = Length x width
Area of Rectangle = Length x Width
Area of Triangle = (Height x Base)/2
Area of Trapezium = 1/2 x (top width + bottom width) x Height
Volume calculation-
Volume of cube = Length x Width x Height
Volume of Rectangular block = Length x Width x Height
Volume of Triangular block =Length x (Height x Base)/2
Volume of Trapezium block = 1/2 x (top width + bottom width) x Height x Length
Pythagoras Theorem: Hypotenuse = [(Base) 2 + (Height) 2] ½
Estimate & costing of Contour Bund – Examples:
Example 1: Contour bund proposed in 22 hectares land at May adresha Tabia. Distance between two
Contour bund rows is 33 m. Cross section of the contour bund is shown in the figure the soil type is
hard soil. Find the cost of the Contour bund.

Solution: First, we calculate the cost of one hectare Contour bund.

Length of plot = 100 m
Width of plot = 100 m
No of rows = Width of plot/spacing = 100/33 = 3 nos.
Length of one row of Contour bund = 100m
Total length of Contour bund in one hectare = Length of one row x no of rows
= 100 x 3 = 300 m
Quantity of excavation for Contour bund in one hectare
Volume = length x cross sectional area
= Length x 0.5(Top Width + Bottom Width) x Depth
= 300 x 0.50 (0.3 + 1.2) x 0.6 = 135 m3
Cost of Contour bund in one hectare = Quantity of excavation in hard soil x Rate
= 135 x 12 = 1350 Birr per hectare
Cost of Contour bund in 22 hectare = 22 x 1350 = 29,700Birr

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Example 2: Contour bund proposed in 65 hectares land at May emut. Distance between two Contour bund
rows is 50 m. The soil type is soft soil, hard soil & medium. The X- section of Contour bund is as below.
Find the cost of that Contour bund.

Solution: First, we calculate the cost of one hectare Contour bund.

Length of plot = 100 m
Width of plot = 100 m
No of rows = Width of plot/spacing = 100/50 = 2 nos.
Length of one row of Contour bund = 100 m
Total length of Contour bund in one hectare = Length of one row x no of rows
= 100 x 2 = 200 m
Quantity of excavation for one hectare Contour bund
Volume = Length x cross sectional area
= Length x 0.5(Top Width+ Bottom Width) x Depth
= 200 x 0.5(0.3 +1.2) x 0.6 =
Quantity of excavation for one Hectare Contour bund in soft soil (25%)
= 90 m3 x 25/100 = 22.5 m3
Quantity of excavation for one hectare Contour bund in hard soil (35%)
= 90 m3 x 35/100 = 31.5 m3
Quantity of excavation for one hectare Contour bund in medium soil (40%)
= 90 m3 x 40/100 = 36 m3
Cost of one hectare Contour bund in soft soil = Quantity of excavation in soft soil x Rate
= 22.5 m3 x 12 = 270 Birr
Cost of one Hectare Contour bund in hard soil = Quantity of excavation in hard soil x Rate
= 31.5 m3 x 16 = 504 Birr
Cost of one hectare Contour bund in medium soil = Quantity of excavation in medium soil x Rate
= 36 m3 x 14.5 = 522 Birr
Cost of one hectare Contour bund = 270 + 504 + 522 = 1296 Birr per hectare

Cost of Contour bund in 65 hectares = 65 x 1296 = 84,240 Birr

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Estimate & costing of Dugout pond – Examples:
Example 1: Total 5 dugout ponds are proposed in Beles watershed in Tahtay koraro Wereda. Cross section
of the dugout pond is shown in figure. Find the cost of that dugout pond.

Top area = Length x Width = 25m x 25m = 625 m2

Bottom area = Length x Width = 20m x 20m = 400 m2
Volume of dugout pond = Depth x (Top area + Bottom area)/2 = 2.5 x (625 + 400)/2
= 1281.25 m3
Cost of excavation in soft soil = volume x rate
= 1281.25 x 12
= 15375 Birr per one pond
Lift charge (it is a charge when the depth of excavation is more than 1.5 m.)
Volume of lift charge soil = Depth x (Top area + Bottom area)/2
Top area = Length x Width = 22 x 22 = 484 m2
Bottom area = Length x Width = 20 x 20 = 400 m2
Volume of lift charge soil = Depth x (Top area + Bottom area)/2
= 1 x (484 + 400)/2 = 442 m3
Cost of Lift charge = volume x rate = 442 x 2 = 884 Birr
Total cost of dugout pond = 15375+ 884 = 16,259 Birr for one pond
Total cost of 5 dugout pond = 16,259 x 5 = 81,295 Birr

3.2 Scheduling for planning, Designing and constructions of structures

3.2.1 Documentation
Documenting primary data: - These data are collected from the field directly investigating and
observations. Collecting and gathering primary data is necessary for designing and implementation of soil
and water conservation measures. The purposes of documenting these data are the following;
 It can be used as secondary data, for other new activities
 For implementing these activities based on the plans and designs
 Helps to supervise, monitoring and evaluation for better performance achievements
 Helps for sustainability and maintaining these structures and measures

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Secondary data are data documented and putting them on the concerned body which helps for further
developments of programs
3.2.2 Procedures and techniques of documentation
The procedures of documentation vary from one sector, or one type, to another. In general, these may
involve
 Document drafting,
 Formatting,
 Submitting,
 Reviewing,
 Approving,
 Distributing etc

Note: - Soil and water conservation measures are more effective, if their implementation follow
the design criteria. To make them more effective apply the following;
 Upgrading soil bunds and application of compost
 Stabilization of stone bunds
 Stone bunds provided with trenches.
 Discuss/agree with farmers on the design.
 Implement during dry season and period not interfering with land preparation.
 Continuous monitoring and maintenance

Unit Design soil and water conservation measures and structures

SELF-CHECK # 3 Module Design Soil and water conservation measures and structures
LO 3 Prepare specification schedule

I. Answer the following questions

1. Contour bund proposed in 36 hectares land at Semema. Distance between two Contour bund rows is
33 m. The soil type is hard soil. Find the cost of the Contour bund.

2. Total 4 dugout ponds are proposed in May demu watershed in Woreda Tahtay koraro which have a
radius of 2m and uniform depth of 6m. Find the volume of that dugout pond.

3. What is the purpose of documentation?

4. List the possible Procedures for documentation.

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 Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures
INFORMATION
Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
SHEET # 4
LO4 Interpret plans and specifications

4.1 Determining overall plan

 Planning soil & water conservation strategy
Soil conservation design most logically follows a sequence of events beginning with a thorough assessment
of erosion risk using the techniques. This is followed by the design of a sound land-use plan, based on what
the land is best suited for under present or proposed economic and social conditions and what is compatible
with the maintenance of environmental stability.
Therefore to minimize soil erosion we should practice the different physical and biological soil and water
conservation measures.
 Points to be considered during planning of SWC
 Land capability classification
 Define conservation needs
 Existing farming systems
 Selection of conservation strategies
4.2 Establishing Earthworks specifications
This specification covers the construction of the earthworks including: the clearing and removal of all
obstacles within the limits of the earthworks; the excavation of all cuts; the excavation of borrow areas,
benches and surface drainage facilities; the carting of the excavated material to fill or waste; and shaping,
trimming, grassing and maintaining of the works
Earth works are structures constructed out of soils or stones for the purpose of erosion prevention and
sediment trapping.
Example; Establishment activities of bench terrace
1. Survey / layout.
2. Collecting stones.
3. Digging foundation (0.3 m deep; 0.3 m wide).
4. Establish stone wall (0.7 m high).
5. Land leveling.
Maintenance / recurrent activities
1. Stabilizing terraces / enhancing walls by putting additional stones.

2. Repairing broken terraces and replanting of vegetative material.

3. Include inter-terrace management measures.

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Ecological benefits

 Reduced soil loss (>50%)

 Reduced runoff (60%)

 Increased infiltration and increased soil moisture

 Increased soil organic matter (sediment harvesting)

Off-site benefits

 Reduced downstream siltation

 Reduced downstream flooding

Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures

SELF-
Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
CHECK # 4
LO 4 Interprets Plans and Specifications

Write Short Answers

1. What are the points should be considered during planning of soil and water conservation

measures?

2. What are the ecological and off – site benefits of bench terrace?

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 Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures
INFORMATION Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
Module
SHEET # 5
LO5 Relate plan to site

5.1 Identifying Additional features on site plan

Features of the site plan include
 location and situation
 Access (inlet, outlet)
 Contours and slopes
 Major geological and topographical features
 Buildings or other structures
 Retaining walls
 Drainage lines
 Trees and vegetation.
5.2 locating Key plan points on site
Waterway
Water way can be defined as a natural or artificial drainage channel along the steepest slope used to
accommodate run off. They receive runoff from cutoff drains or graded strictures and carry it away to rivers
or gullies safely without creating erosion.
Technical specification
 Implemented in various kinds of slopes, <10% for vegetative waterway and >=10%-25% for
stone paved waterway
 At every 10-20m drop structure inserted for slowing runoff.
 In sandy soil both vegetative & paved but in clay paved to protect waterway from water logging.
Layout
Takes place based on position chosen to receive evacuate excess runoff from cutoff drains or degraded
structure. Layout follows field boundaries & shallow depressions where water tends to drain.
Dimensions & construction phase
 Determine the drainage area
 Estimate quantity of runoff
 Design to accommodate peak runoff discharge
 Determine gradient of waterway
 Up to 5% check-drop-apron structure placed at every 20m, between 5% & 10% at every 10m
and greater than 10% at every 5m or less.

Factors affecting surveying and pegging

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  Topography
 Buildings
 Rivers and gullies
 Big stones
 Vegetation
 Climate
Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures
SELF-
Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
CHECK # 5
LO 5 Relate Plan To Site

Write Short Answer

1. List the features of site plan?
2. Determining the key technical specifications of waterways?
3. What are the factors which affecting surveying and pegging?

Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures

22
 INFORMATION Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
SHEET # 6 LO6 Peg project

6.1 Tools, materials &equipment’s for laying out SWC measures

Marking contour lines

Contour lines are horizontal lines across the slope which link points of the same elevation. Contour lines
must be precise as much as possible to avoid destruction (soil erosion, gully formation)
Materials required
 Line level/ A frame
 Two wooden poles, 2 m high each, marked every 10 cm
 String /rope 11 m long
 Pegs (about 20 pegs per 100 m)
 Hammer / stone to drive the peg in to the ground
Steps of Pegging during Laying out of contour line
 Always start laying out contours at the top of the slope (not at the middle or bottom) or immediately
bellow the cut of drain (if you have).
 Drive a peg into the ground where you want the first contour to begin. One person holds the first pole
upright at the first peg & the other person walks roughly level with the other pole until the string is
tight.
 Move the pole up and down the slope until the bubble is exactly in the middle of its run (in the
middle of the line level).
 Drive a peg into the ground next to second pole.
 The two people holding the poles both move forward and the same process continuous until the
required distance will be completed.
 To start the second contour line, find the starting point by measuring the vertical interval you
want(usually varying from 1-2 m) depending up on the land gradient.
a. Pegging with the A-Frame
Objective: To learn to peg level contour lines using an A-frame
Materials Needed for Construction of A-Frame
 Two poles (wooden or bamboo) each 2.1 meters (6.8 feet) long
 One pole (wooden or bamboo) 2 meter (6.6 feet) long
 Nails, screws or 2 meters (6.6 feet) wire or strong cord for connecting the poles
 1 meter (3-4 ft) of light cord or string
 Weight (rock, bottle etc)

Assembling the A-Frame

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1. Connect the 2.1 longer poles together at one end, using the wire to lash them tightly or using the nails or
screws. The poles can be notched at each end where they connect to prevent them from slipping
2. Connect the shorter pole across the middle of the longer poles to form a figure “A”.
a. The poles should be notched or lashed tightly so that they are attached securely.
b. If the distance between the legs at the base of the “A” is set at 2 meter, the A-Frame can be
used for linear measurements and for calculating slope.
3. Tie one end of the light cord or string to the top of the “A” where the two longer poles are joined.
4. Tie the weight to the other end of the string so that it hangs about 15cm (6in) below the crossbar. The
weight should hang freely and be sufficiently heavy, especially if it becomes windy.
Calibrating the A-Frame Level
1. Stand the A-Frame Level on solid ground (regardless how level).
2. Mark the spots where the legs are placed on the ground.
3. Let the weight settle to a natural position and make a temporary mark where the string crosses the cross
bar.
4. Rotate the A-Frame 180 degrees so that the legs move to the opposite spot on the ground.
5. Once again, let the weight settle to a natural position and make a temporary mark where the string
crosses the cross bar.
6. At exactly halfway between the 2 temporary marks make a permanent mark to indicate the “level”
position.

Marking Contour Lines with A-Frame

Pegging with an A-frame requires two people.

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1. Go to the centre of the field and mark it with a peg. Place one leg of the Aframeright next to the peg.
2. Hold this leg in place while slightly moving the other leg up and down theslope until the string is exactly
in front of the permanent mark in the middleon the cross pole. Mark this point on the ground with a second
peg. The stringshould be very close to, but never touch, the cross pole.
3. Pivot the first leg around while holding the other leg at the second peg. Movethe first leg slightly up and
down the slope until the string is again right infront of the mark.
4. Continue like this to the field boundary.
5. Return to the centre of the field where the very first peg was placed and movein the opposite direction to
the other end of the field following steps 2-3.
N.B:- Do not use the A-frame when there is a strong wind as the string will be disturbed, and you will not
be able to do accurate work.

Measuring a Slope with A-Frame

1. Measure the distance between the A-Frame legs.
2. Place the A-Frame perpendicular to the slope with one leg on the ground and the othergoing down-hill.
3. Raise the down-hill leg until the string lines up with the level position.
4. Measure the distance straight down from the bottom of the down-hill leg to the ground.
5. The distance to ground divided by the distance between legs will give the % slope.
Example: 2m between legs, 10cm to ground = 0.1m / 2m = .01 = 5% slope

b. Pegging with the Line Level

6.3.1 Marking Contour Lines with the Line Level
Definition
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Contour lines are horizontal lines across the slope joining points of the same elevation. Contour lines
are used to line out conservation measures which have to be level.
Materials
• Water-level Thin plastic rope, 11 m long
• 2 wooden poles, 2 m long, marked every 10 cm Meter-band or meter-stick
• Short poles for marking the ground
Preparation
Fix the thin rope with each end to one wooden pole so that exactly 10 m of rope are between the poles.
Check length regularly. Mark the middle of the rope at 5 m with knot. Hang the small water-level in the
middle of the rope. Three to four people are needed to survey a level line and to mark it on the ground.
Marking contour lines
Proceed across the slope as shown in the drawing below. Survey 10 m at a time, in difficult topography
only 5 m (half the rope)

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Marking Graded Lines with the Line Level

SELF CHECK Unit Design& lay out Soil and Water Conservation measures
27
 Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation
Module
#6 measures
LO 6 Peg project
Give Short Answers for the following questions
1. List points to be considered during planning of SWC?
2. What are the ecological benefits of bench terrace?
3. Write at least five features the site plan could include?
4. What are the factors which can affect surveying and pegging?
5. What are the procedures of calibrating A-frame level?
Unit Design & layout Soil and Water Conservation measures
OPERATION
SHEET # 1 Module Designing & laying out Soil and Water Conservation measures
LO 6 Peg project
Purpose: layout of Trenches and Semi-circular bunds
Equipment, Tools and Materials:
 Line level/A-frame,
 String,
 Graduated staff,
 Clinometers,
 Measuring tape,
 Digging instruments
 pegs
Procedure:
1. Prepare all the tools and materials
2. Select a field with a gentle slope. The field should have deep soils (50cm and deeper)
3. Use an A-frame/ Line level to determine the contour lines of the plot. Mark the lines by placing
sticks at the sides of the plot and draw a piece of string between the sticks.
4. Takes place in staggered position.
Precaution: use PPE

Quality Criteria:

 Accurate measurement should be taking on the layout process

 The layout should be precise & accurate

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