Fifth Cascade - Foothills of the Mountains

Fifth Cascade - Foothills of the Mountains

DREVO Mountain Foothill Water Storage & Recharge System (FWRS)

The role of the foothills

The foothills of the mountains are the final link in the entire DREVO Living Mountains hydrological system. Here, water flows from all the cascades above converge, natural filtration is completed, groundwater recharge is maximized, and conditions for sustainable valley development are created.

Unlike the upper cascades, whose task is to slow down and distribute the water, the base must work aslarge natural battery, safely receiving large volumes of water during floods and gradually returning them to the ground, rivers and aquifers.

The main principle:

Water should leave the mountains slowly, cleanly and evenly throughout the year, and not in the form of a short-term destructive flood.

Main tasks

The fifth cascade provides:

water intake from all upper cascades;

reduction of flood peaks;

accumulation of seasonal water reserves;

deep infiltration;

replenishment of aquifers;

feeding rivers and springs during dry periods;

sedimentation of residual sediments;

restoration of floodplain ecosystems.

Main threats

When the foothills degrade, the following occurs:

destructive floods;

loss of water outside the pool;

lowering of groundwater levels;

drying up of rivers in summer;

siltation of riverbeds;

swamping of individual areas;

degradation of agricultural lands.

Structure of the fifth cascade

1. Reception pool

Receives water from ravines and streams.

Main functions:

flow distribution;

reduction in speed;

primary sedimentation;

protection of underlying structures.

The receiving pool is not intended for long-term storage of water.

2. Large detention basins

These are the main regulatory elements of the system.

Purpose:

temporary accumulation of flood water;

reduction of maximum flow rate;

gradual transfer of water;

creation of reserves for infiltration.

Design features:

wide area;

small average depth;

gentle banks;

emergency spillway;

possibility of natural overgrowth.

The pools are designed as temporary structures. For most of the year, they may remain partially dry or contain only small, permanent reservoirs.

3. Infiltration fields

After preliminary cleaning, the water is directed to special areas for deep infiltration.

Infiltration fields consist of:

natural sand and gravel areas;

filtration trenches;

infiltration maps;

forest infiltration zones;

meadow filtration areas.

Main task:

maximize groundwater recharge.

4. Multi-level pool system

Instead of one large reservoir, several interconnected pools for various purposes are created.

First level

Sedimentation of large material.

Second level

Main control volume.

Third level

Infiltration maps.

Fourth level

Floodplain ecosystems.

Fifth level

Discharge of purified water into the river.

This solution reduces the risk of catastrophic failure and simplifies maintenance.

Working in a drought

During the dry period the system:

gradually releases water into underground horizons;

maintains groundwater levels;

provides nutrition to springs;

maintains moisture in floodplain ecosystems;

maintains the base flow of rivers.

The main goal is to increase the natural underground water supply, rather than storing it only in open water bodies.

Work during abnormal rainfall

During extreme precipitation:

water comes from ravines;

the receiving basin reduces the flow rate;

detention pools receive the bulk of the volume;

part of the water is directed to infiltration fields;

purified water enters the river;

The excess passes safely through emergency spillways.

The system must be designed for events that significantly exceed long-term averages.

Sedimentation

The last large sediments are retained in special pockets.

Delayed:

sand;

gravel;

organic remains;

wood;

fertile silt.

After analyzing the material, it can be used:

for slope restoration;

land reclamation;

formation of the fertile soil layer.

Water purification

The fifth cascade performs natural purification functions.

The following work sequentially:

precipitation;

gravel filtration;

sand filtration;

passing through vegetation;

soil filtration;

biological purification by microorganisms.

Floodplain ecosystems

Periodic flood zones are created.

They provide:

additional infiltration;

sludge accumulation;

development of wetland vegetation;

animal nutrition;

increasing biodiversity.

The floodplain must receive water regularly during natural floods.

Design of plant communities

Coastal zone

sedges;

sieves;

reed communities;

moisture-loving perennials.

Floodplain shrubs

willows;

buckthorn;

viburnum;

дёрен.

Arboreal layer

Main types:

alder;

elm;

ash tree;

oak;

poplar (only local species);

linden.

Trees are placed outside areas of permanent erosion.

Wetlands

Part of the territory is preserved as natural swamps and wet meadows.

Their functions:

water accumulation;

cleaning;

carbon storage;

support for amphibians and birds;

increasing ecosystem resilience.

Robotic maintenance

DREVO Mountain Rover

Performed by:

construction of swimming pools;

formation of infiltration fields;

coastal maintenance;

removal of sediments;

planting of vegetation.

TREVO AeroSense Drone

Controls:

water level;

state of the banks;

sediment volume;

humidity;

vegetation development;

surface temperature.

WOOD AI

Calculates:

hydraulic balance;

infiltration efficiency;

filling speed;

need for maintenance;

flood forecast.

Monitoring

Living Mountain Observatory measures:

water level;

consumption;

water quality;

turbidity;

electrical conductivity;

temperature;

infiltration rate;

groundwater level;

vegetation condition;

volume of accumulated sediment.

Integration

The fifth cascade combines the work of:

DREVO Mountain Sponge— accumulation and distribution of moisture;

Mountain Springs Recovery— recharge of aquifers;

Mountain Forest Corridors— connection between mountain and floodplain forests;

Living Mountain Observatory— monitoring;

Mountain Digital Twin— digital modeling;

TREVO AeroSense Drone— remote control;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System- use of accumulated water for local humidification if necessary.

Expected results

After the restoration of the fifth cascade, the following is expected:

reduction of flood peaks;

increasing groundwater recharge;

stabilization of groundwater levels;

restoration of permanent river flow;

reduction of siltation of riverbeds;

improving water quality;

restoration of floodplain forests;

increasing biodiversity;

increasing the region's water resilience to climate change.

Conclusion

The fifth cascade completes the DREVO Living Mountains hydrological system. Here, water that has passed through the peaks, slopes, ravines, and streams is finally purified, slowed, and returned to the natural cycle. Large retention basins, infiltration fields, and restored floodplain ecosystems transform the mountain foothills into a strategic freshwater reservoir, ensuring the resilience of the entire area in the face of extreme rainfall, prolonged droughts, and climate change.