This collaborative project with LaFarm had three components: (1) design and installation of a water storage tank and surrounding sculpture made of found materials (multidisciplinary independent study project with a team of Art and CE students), (2) design and construction of an irrigation system using a well, solar-powered pump, and the storage tank (CE 421 project), and (3) design of improvements to the nearby drainage swale to reduce flooding of the bottom corner of the garden and increase retention and infiltration of runoff (CE 421 project). Generous funding to support this project was provided by Art Hendrickson ’51 in memory of his grandson, Bryan C. Hendrickson, CE class of 2010.
Below is an aerial view of the site and a series of pictures of some of the project activities and participants.
Farm Manager Sarah Edmonds discussing irrigation with the class
Cody with his spectacular creation
Ponding of runoff from the swale at southwest corner of garden
Testing the solar pump system at Acopian
Construction of the berm and diversion ditch
Construction of the berm and diversion ditch
Mixing concrete for solar panel footings
Getting set up for the pump test on a cold Nov morning
Down goes the pump
Holy cow, it actually works!
Brandes is not an idiot after all