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Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2: Water-Harvesting Earthworks
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, 2nd Edition is a how-to guide enabling you to “plant the rain” by creating water-harvesting “earthworks” or “rain gardens.” Earthworks are simple, inexpensive strategies and landforms that passively harvest multiple sources of free on-site water including rainfall, stormwater runoff, air conditioning condensate, and greywater within “living tanks” of soil and vegetation. The plants then pump the water back out in the form of beauty, food, shelter, wildlife habitat, timber and forage, while controlling erosion, reducing down-stream flooding, dropping utility costs, increasing soil fertility, enhancing the soil carbon sponge, and improving water and air quality.
This dramatically revised and expanded full-color second edition builds on the information in Volume 1 by showing you how to turn your yard, school, business, park, ranch, and neighborhood into lively, regenerative producers of resources. Conditions at home will improve as you simultaneously enrich the ecosystem and inspire the surrounding community.
Learn to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen earthworks. All is made easier and more effective by the illustrations of natural patterns of water and sediment flow with which you can collaborate or mimic. Detailed step-by-step instructions with over 550 images show you how to do it, and plentiful stories of success motivate you so you will do it!
This dramatically revised and expanded full-color second edition builds on the information in Volume 1 by showing you how to turn your yard, school, business, park, ranch, and neighborhood into lively, regenerative producers of resources. Conditions at home will improve as you simultaneously enrich the ecosystem and inspire the surrounding community.
Learn to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen earthworks. All is made easier and more effective by the illustrations of natural patterns of water and sediment flow with which you can collaborate or mimic. Detailed step-by-step instructions with over 550 images show you how to do it, and plentiful stories of success motivate you so you will do it!
1171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
27 people are currently reading
1247 people want to read
About the author
Brad Lancaster
5 books65 followersBrad Lancaster has taught, designed, and consulted on regenerative-design systems of permaculture and integrated water-harvesting systems in seven countries since 1993. He created and lives on a thriving solar-powered 1/8th-acre (0.05-ha) urban oasis in downtown Tucson, Arizona, which harvests 100,000 gallons (378,000 liters) of rainwater a year where just 12 inches (280 mm) falls from the sky. Brad's dynamic books, talks, workshops, and living example have inspired tens of thousands of people to 'plant the rain' to sustainably grow their local resources. Visit his website at HarvestingRainwater.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 30, 2019
We know now thanks to scientists like Walter Jehne (featured in this new edition) that if we can grow more plants and trees on the surface of the earth their transpiration can cool the climate (due to latent heat from the sun being absorbed as water changes phase from liquid to vapor.)
Lancaster shows us how to harvest water and revegetate hot bare lands and just possibly mitigate climate chaos and extremes! The book is full of inspiring examples from all over the world.
Earthworks and rainwater can also keep more plants alive longer so that their roots continue feeding the micro-organisms in the soil, who in turn sequester carbon from atmospheric CO2 in stable forms in the soil. At the same time the micro-organisms aggregate soil particles so that the soil becomes a "carbon sponge" and can hold much more water (alleviating flooding) and allow water to infiltrate into aquifers.
Rehydrating desertified areas in the world and sequestering carbon via plant roots are pathways to renewed beauty and abundance and Lancaster is pointing the way.
There is also a section on innovative ways to re-use greywater, especially kitchen sink greywater, which is not yet "legal" in some places.
Some of my favorite sections in the book address how to "heal" erosion and restore meadows and wetlands, via interventions in waterways: sculpture in the landscape!
In short, buy this book if you need a boost of HOPE and HOW TO!
Lancaster shows us how to harvest water and revegetate hot bare lands and just possibly mitigate climate chaos and extremes! The book is full of inspiring examples from all over the world.
Earthworks and rainwater can also keep more plants alive longer so that their roots continue feeding the micro-organisms in the soil, who in turn sequester carbon from atmospheric CO2 in stable forms in the soil. At the same time the micro-organisms aggregate soil particles so that the soil becomes a "carbon sponge" and can hold much more water (alleviating flooding) and allow water to infiltrate into aquifers.
Rehydrating desertified areas in the world and sequestering carbon via plant roots are pathways to renewed beauty and abundance and Lancaster is pointing the way.
There is also a section on innovative ways to re-use greywater, especially kitchen sink greywater, which is not yet "legal" in some places.
Some of my favorite sections in the book address how to "heal" erosion and restore meadows and wetlands, via interventions in waterways: sculpture in the landscape!
In short, buy this book if you need a boost of HOPE and HOW TO!
January 14, 2018
Both volumes are worth reading if you can get a hold of a copy at the library or if cost is no option. They're pretty expensive to buy dedicated copies for yourself though ($30/book).
If you already have gone through Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual or done a permaculture design course, Vol 1 will feel more like a review than a paradigm shift.
Vol 2 is better value in that it repeats most of the content of Vol 1 and goes into a lot of helpful detail about choosing the right earthworks structure for your site. Tucson residents could jump start their gardens by cribbing off Lancaster's native vegetation tables. VeganAthlete's youtube channel seems to cover similar content for Arizonans and is worth checking out to get the scoop on active local resources and examples of mature plant sizes.
If you're intrigued with vol 2's greywater chapter, Art Ludwig's book on the topic is half the price and a more exhaustive treatment of the topic.
If you already have gone through Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual or done a permaculture design course, Vol 1 will feel more like a review than a paradigm shift.
Vol 2 is better value in that it repeats most of the content of Vol 1 and goes into a lot of helpful detail about choosing the right earthworks structure for your site. Tucson residents could jump start their gardens by cribbing off Lancaster's native vegetation tables. VeganAthlete's youtube channel seems to cover similar content for Arizonans and is worth checking out to get the scoop on active local resources and examples of mature plant sizes.
If you're intrigued with vol 2's greywater chapter, Art Ludwig's book on the topic is half the price and a more exhaustive treatment of the topic.
October 22, 2019
This comprehensive guide to Rainwater Harvesting is the best resource out there for using rainwater and creating a sustainable water culture. I use this book often to guide me through issues I may have on projects. Full of examples of projects and various topics that all connect to working on the land for regeneration. I have lent this book to many of my colleagues and they have all benefited from the excellent and detailed information. This newer edition has more diagrams, pictures and examples. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to begin a career in sustainability or to anyone who is already seasoned in the topic and may work for an agency or non profit, implementing these type of projects. Definitely worth the read.
October 26, 2019
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volume 2 now revised and expanded in color goes beyond volume 1 and gets more into the details. This is why it is an important tool in my toolbox that I can always count on when I need it. Recently after receiving my copy of Volume 2, I had a need for information on how to construct a terrace and there it was on page 113. The author clearly describes the creation of a stone terrace based on his personal experience. That personal experience and detail the author provides is why I find this book a must read for anyone who wants to know how to go from assessing a site to constructing water harvesting features and creating an integrated system.
October 1, 2019
This is a must have technical resource even if you already have the 1st edition of volume 2. This 2nd edition is a comprehensive yet detailed guide for anyone interested or practicing backyard water harvesting to landscape and watershed restoration.
October 9, 2019
For most people, the first image of rainwater harvesting that pops into their heads is a cistern or tank. While that is one method, this book shows people how to use what is probably a more powerful and economical method of rainwater harvesting called earthworks. I recommend this book to all of the people that attend any of my classes. It contains all of the details you need to know about the design of earthworks, plus those simple tricks that make them easy to implement.
October 15, 2019
This book is the most down to earth and practical guide to getting prepared for more climate change and managing watersheds and water. I live totally off rainwater and teach land stewardship and this book is a most valuable resource to care for our water and watershed. It includes ideas I have not thought of that and can be shared with students and applied on my land. Great book and updated ideas.
October 24, 2019
The practical approaches to water harvesting are clearly explored in this book. The drawings are great and the pictures are even better. I have used this book many times in conveying design concepts to my landscape clients, and it really helps to see the pictures! The calculations and tools in the appendix have been vital to my success as a designer and builder. Thank you for writing such a comprehensive book on water harvesting!!
November 9, 2019
This is a college level course on water conservation and management created by Mr. Lancaster. This book builds on Volume 1 with a focus on earth works. These are simple methods that anyone with a hoe and shovel can achieve in their yard. The latest edition with color images and photos is even easier to read and apply. As the West gets more arid, the practical applications in this book will be essential for communities to thrive. A must-have for all ecological designers.
October 7, 2019
This is an amazing resource! The full-color version and diagrams clearly show how the water harvesting strategies function. I already loved the first edition and this second edition is even better!
January 22, 2020
As a building professional and an educator, I highly recommend this book to my clients. I also am using this as the backbone for a course I am am teaching on building design.
August 25, 2019
This book has really helped me understand how and where to shape earth to harvest rainwater in a way that helps support plants. The color drawings and photos made it all clear and included some great "before and after" pictures. I love plants so its nice seeing photos of trees growing in once bleak landscapes (I don't think I would go so far as to kiss a saguaro though, like shown on pg 322).
March 11, 2021
Indigenous peoples have long used earthworks and containers to harvest rainwater for drinking and irrigation. In his two volume series on rainwater harvesting, Brad Lancaster has updated these ancient techniques for both the urban dweller and rural homesteader. A large percentage of municipal water is used for watering vegetation, even though arid cities like Tucson are facing a serious water crisis. Volume 2 of Lancaster's rainwater harvesting guide contains detailed instructions on how to build earthworks that will divert rainwater to your garden, so that precious municipal water is conserved. This well-written, beautifully illustrated volume is just as delightful to read as Volume 1. These rainwater harvesting techniques are also applicable to other areas. I wish I had this book when I lived in Wisconsin, because the sloped, back yard of my former house was so barren even weeds would not grow there. Earthworks such as described in this book would have helped to retain water, and actually grow a garden.
January 19, 2014
a great book about earthworks.. explains how to do them with simple language and illustrations then brings real life examples to bring the topic closer to understanding, mentioning the maintenance needed is also very important point. Using this book i was able to make a waffle garden, swale, checkdams in a different variation than in the book while using the main idea behind it. i wish to do more or see more of these works with my own eye. the references offered are also great to continue researching into dry land farming and water harvesting.
December 11, 2017
Covers about a dozen types of earth structures for managing rain fall. I have never seen anything like this book before and highly recommend it. On the other hand, for an amateur gardener like me I could see this staying in fantasy mode for a while before I do anything with it.
December 17, 2019
Brad Lancaster’s revised editions Volume 1 and 2 of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond are a must have for any newcomer or experienced person who wishes to harvest rainwater in multiple ways.
The pages light up with the new full color graphics and photos. I especially appreciate the updates on real-life case studies, tracking the time-tested experience of Mr. Lancaster’s, and others, work. I have successfully utilized both volumes in learning the most effective ways of capturing rainwater, here in the Northwest where we have very dry summers.
As our climate changes these volumes are an indispensable tool toward assisting the reader to more fully comprehend the cause and effect of harvesting water, the earth’s most valuable resource.
As the title indicates the core of these books is harvesting rainwater, yet they are so much more.
Volume 2 continues the story of water harvesting, offering a diversity of strategies
of how to harvest rainwater in simple and efficient ways in a variety of scales, from urban to large scale rural. As a landscape consultant, I work with clients to guide the process of manipulating water movement on the land. From utilizing the shovel to large scale machinery earthworks, Brad Lancaster writes in detail the mechanisms to capture water and direct it where it is most needed.
As an instructor of whole systems landscape design, these books are extremely useful in sharing with my students. The quick reference guides provide the opportunity to gain a whole systems approach to water harvesting, as are the expanded tools and how-to information.
In Volume 1, Mr. Maseko, the African farmer, so aptly stated: You’ve got to plant the water before you can plant the trees. Brad Lancaster’s book skillfully offers us the tools in how to effectively plant water.
Jude Hobbs is an internationally recognized permaculturist with 35 years’ experience in the design and teaching fields.
The pages light up with the new full color graphics and photos. I especially appreciate the updates on real-life case studies, tracking the time-tested experience of Mr. Lancaster’s, and others, work. I have successfully utilized both volumes in learning the most effective ways of capturing rainwater, here in the Northwest where we have very dry summers.
As our climate changes these volumes are an indispensable tool toward assisting the reader to more fully comprehend the cause and effect of harvesting water, the earth’s most valuable resource.
As the title indicates the core of these books is harvesting rainwater, yet they are so much more.
Volume 2 continues the story of water harvesting, offering a diversity of strategies
of how to harvest rainwater in simple and efficient ways in a variety of scales, from urban to large scale rural. As a landscape consultant, I work with clients to guide the process of manipulating water movement on the land. From utilizing the shovel to large scale machinery earthworks, Brad Lancaster writes in detail the mechanisms to capture water and direct it where it is most needed.
As an instructor of whole systems landscape design, these books are extremely useful in sharing with my students. The quick reference guides provide the opportunity to gain a whole systems approach to water harvesting, as are the expanded tools and how-to information.
In Volume 1, Mr. Maseko, the African farmer, so aptly stated: You’ve got to plant the water before you can plant the trees. Brad Lancaster’s book skillfully offers us the tools in how to effectively plant water.
Jude Hobbs is an internationally recognized permaculturist with 35 years’ experience in the design and teaching fields.
Read
August 3, 2025No star rating since I didn't read this word for word. This book has tons of ideas for rainwater harvesting with practical considerations and methods and formulas for making calculations. On this read through I flagged as a couple points of interest for myself:
p.173 examples of good species with berries/fruit for chickens like wolfberry (Lycium spp.), desert hackberry (Celtis spinosa), barberry (Berberis trifoliolata), quailbush (Atriplex lentiformis) and probably the 'winner' for Cubelles, Spain pomegranate (Punica granatum)
p.315 a good illustration reminding that one fence can separate a goat space from a chicken space where chicken-proofed plantings can be protected from the grazers
p.340 detailed information about soaps and detergents, what to look out for when creating a greywater system
p.365 a description of what bacteria thrive at different temperature ranges in bacteria
One could probably read this many times and take in different information based on what their interest is for their current project. I'm not ready for the conceptual designs for plumbing for example, but am seeking even more details on installing cisterns well.
p.173 examples of good species with berries/fruit for chickens like wolfberry (Lycium spp.), desert hackberry (Celtis spinosa), barberry (Berberis trifoliolata), quailbush (Atriplex lentiformis) and probably the 'winner' for Cubelles, Spain pomegranate (Punica granatum)
p.315 a good illustration reminding that one fence can separate a goat space from a chicken space where chicken-proofed plantings can be protected from the grazers
p.340 detailed information about soaps and detergents, what to look out for when creating a greywater system
p.365 a description of what bacteria thrive at different temperature ranges in bacteria
One could probably read this many times and take in different information based on what their interest is for their current project. I'm not ready for the conceptual designs for plumbing for example, but am seeking even more details on installing cisterns well.
December 2, 2019
Brad is a hero in the water harvesting realm and continues his awesome work in Volume 2 with earthworks that are an integral part of water harvesting. Once you get the framework of water harvesting in Volume 1 you will absolutely want to grab a copy of this book for reference and learning!
He has traveled the world, learned from some of the masters and is able to articulate all the great ways to harvest water in drylands and beyond. His writing is easy to understand, his drawings are articulate and easy to follow so that you can implement the right water harvesting process in your yard, farm, neighborhood or bioregion! His book has been a staple in my collection and reference since it first came out in 2006! This is truly the most important water harvesting book of the century! Greg Peterson, The Urban Farm, Urban Farm Podcast Host
He has traveled the world, learned from some of the masters and is able to articulate all the great ways to harvest water in drylands and beyond. His writing is easy to understand, his drawings are articulate and easy to follow so that you can implement the right water harvesting process in your yard, farm, neighborhood or bioregion! His book has been a staple in my collection and reference since it first came out in 2006! This is truly the most important water harvesting book of the century! Greg Peterson, The Urban Farm, Urban Farm Podcast Host
May 16, 2020
As a professional this book continues to inspire from the small and simple to the large scale urban Green Infrastructure (GI) to stream restoration and erosion control. The 8 principles that are laid out in this book have been a guiding light to all of my designs since I first encountered it in 2009. After finishing a Master’s degree program for landscape architecture I discovered this book. I was amazed that we never got educated on such an important aspect of a healthy landscape. Earthworks are now the base of my work as a professional. I really appreciate the work Brad Lancaster put into this 2nd edition. In particular no longer recommending gabions puts a smile on my face. If you have a shovel you can be a water harvester too!
December 17, 2019
Wowza! The 2nd Edition of Volume 2 delivers on many levels. The visuals stand out to a whole new depth with the color photos, further illustrating the concepts. I'm excited to try my hands at finessing some rocks to slow, spread and sink erosive water into the soil.
I really appreciate the author's humor, and the illustrators' ability to expand upon it. We'd all benefit with some "good news" if these images were featured in the comic section of the morning paper.
I love how many real-world examples there are of folks applying these rainwater harvesting techniques. We truly are on our way to an abundant future, one hand-dug basin at a time!
I really appreciate the author's humor, and the illustrators' ability to expand upon it. We'd all benefit with some "good news" if these images were featured in the comic section of the morning paper.
I love how many real-world examples there are of folks applying these rainwater harvesting techniques. We truly are on our way to an abundant future, one hand-dug basin at a time!
December 29, 2019
The second volume builds on the concepts of the first, with new and revised information, however it can also stand on its own. The book goes more in-depth into the various strategies and earthworks for capturing rainwater and greywater for agriculture and gardens. I think it has lots of applications for permaculture projects both near and abroad. Lancaster covers a lot of information in a very easy to read and approachable manner. Reading about the huge benefits of these earthworks will definitely encourage you to put them into practice in your own garden.
July 29, 2020
Are you ready to go a little deeper into the wet and wonderful world of water harvesting? This is an excellent follow up to Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volume 1. Like the first volume, the information is straightforward and accessible, providing value for the amateur and professional alike. The tips and techniques detailed in this book will help you to maximize the benefits of the precious resource that is rain. This book is a must-have resource here in the Sonoran desert but equally applicable in other climates and regions.
March 23, 2022
This volume highlights many techniques for passive water harvesting. While most texts focus on active water harvesting (predominately or entirely) this is one of the few references that gives the depth of attention passive water harvesting deserves. The content has evolved from prior editions, with many techniques noted of particular relevance to restoration efforts. As with the latest edition of Volume 1, the addition of color diagrams enhances the understanding of ideas.
November 20, 2019
Lancaster’s book is a must have for any professional or lay person interested in working to improve their water situation – whether at home, in the community, or at the watershed scale. Full of detailed graphics, case studies, and straight forward explanation, this user-friendly compendium will help everyone make best use of available resources.
February 3, 2020
As a professor in Environment and Society at Utah State University, I have found this book an invaluable resource. This newly revised edition includes very helpful updated information, graphics, and colored photographs. The book is well researched, credible and applicable and I plan to use it every time I teach about onsite water harvesting and permaculture design.
November 9, 2020
This book is incredible. I live in the high desert, where we get 6-10inches of rain a year, and this book has proven to be the absolute perfect guide for assisting us in working with the water that does fall onto our site. Brad Landcaster shares a more holistic approach the issues involved in utilizing water in a landscape then any other book I have read on this topic.
November 11, 2020
The most detailed guide to create earthworks that have the potential to regenerate the landscape, every time I look at this book I get inspired and grab some tools to start working with the land.
The new edition is full of great illustrations that make it even easier to understand, so glad that I was able to get it.
The new edition is full of great illustrations that make it even easier to understand, so glad that I was able to get it.
January 19, 2020
Water is life! This is the best practical guide to rainwater harvesting available. The practices in this book are valuable to all skill levels and they offer solutions that the world needs right now to reverse drought in the decades ahead.
April 2, 2020
Super thorough with helpful illustrations
September 5, 2021
I love this book! Applying it's principles really helped me store water in the ground, rather than allowing is to run off easily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews