Water and Access In landscape design, choosing between a gradient road with a slight fall or a level terrace is critical for balancing water management and access. Both systems harvest water and provide pathways, but their outcomes vary based on the land’s needs. Drawing from years of experience Dave Spicer of Doc Spice Permaculture, aims to articulate the differences in this article, exploring why you might choose a gradient road or a terrace, highlighting their differences

To Swale or Terrace or Both and Why, There are many ways to repair the small water cycles in our local landscapes. For me, as a designer primarily working in the restoration of broad landscapes, I choose to use mostly two techniques: the well-known swale documented in Bill Mollison’s global gardener series, and the lesser-known terrace, adapted to become a water conduit. The terrace performs the same functions as a swale, but for me, it allows greater flexibility for the user