Creating and using an 'A Frame' to map land contours 🗺️🪏

How do you measure contours on your land? Jane Wegesa Fraser, Bemeriki Bisimwa and Jenefer Lhugabwe show us how to create and use a simple 'A Frame' to mark the contour lines. On the contour lines, you can dig Swales (shallow ditches) to help slow, sink and store rainwater instead of letting it run off; and Bunds (raised mounds of soil beside swales) to slow water and reduce erosion. You can also plant well-rooting plants like Vetiver along the swale to help slow water and prevent erosion.

-- You'll need:
🥢 3 straight sticks (2 long, one shorter)

🪢 String and a small weight (like a stone or a bottle of water)

📏 Measuring tape, and a spirit level if you have one

-- Make your 'A Frame':
🅰️ Form the “A” Shape by joining the tops of the two long sticks to make an “A", then adding the shorter stick horizontally between the two legs, making sure that it's entirely level

🪨 Tie the string to the top point of the "A" with the weight hanging freely down through the middle, past the horizontal crossbar

⎯ Find an entirely flat surface (this is where the spirit level is helpful). Place the A-Frame standing up on the flat ground, and mark where the string crosses the horizontal crossbar. If the crossbar is on straight, this should exactly in the middle of the horizontal bar.

🏔️ Then use the A Frame to find contours. Swing the A Frame foot by foot, marking spots where the weight sits exactly on the “level” mark. You can leave a mark or put sticks along the contour line as you measure.

🪏 Once you have your contour line, make your Swales and Bunds to help water slow, sink and store in your landscape.

Видео Creating and using an 'A Frame' to map land contours 🗺️🪏 канала Re-Alliance