1994 – Present
For nearly 30 years, OAEC’s 80-acre site of organic gardens, orchards, meadows, and forests has served as an ideal outdoor classroom to teach and model Conservation Hydrology and watershed health. Since 2004, OAEC’s WATER Institute has implemented an on-site Conservation Hydrology Adaptive Management Plan that demonstrates renewable energy technologies and best management and conservation practices for water, and for the energy associated with its use.
These practical solutions include greywater systems, micro-hydro generated electricity, roof water catchment systems, a rainwater harvesting off-stream pond that supplies 100% of our agricultural irrigation needs, a solar thermal hot water system, bio-filtration to improve water quality, and a 10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. Installing and studying the efficacy of these techniques over time allows us to improve our designs and speak from experience when educating communities about how to best adapt these practices to their regions.
What is “Conservation Hydrology”?
Basins of Relations – A Citizen’s Guide to Protecting and Restoring Our Watersheds (2018)
A 24-page WATER Institute booklet for individuals and groups working to educate about the myriad issues facing our watersheds and the steps we can take to preserve them. (3rd Edition, 2018)
Beaver In California: Creating a Culture of Stewardship
A 30-page WATER Institute booklet about the history, ecology, benefits and restoration of beaver in California. (Version 4.0, 2020). Contact us at (707) 874-1557 x 101 to purchase a full-color copy $10
Garden Koi Pond With Bio-Filtration System
The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2007 and updated in 2011. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.
Roofwater Harvesting In California: Obstacles and Opportunities
A 23-page WATER Institute report on roofwater harvesting in California (2011). The following is the text and photos from a report written by the WATER Institute in 2011. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.
Heating Water With The Sun
A 10-page WATER Institute how-to on solar hot water heating. The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2009. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.
Legal Graywater Design for Small Scale Applications in California
An 11-page WATER Institute how-to on two legal graywater designs for residential applications. The following is the text and photos from a report written by the WATER Institute in 2010. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.
Integrated Stormwater Retention System
A 20-page WATER Institute report on rural stormwater management (2012).
Low-Cost Roofwater System For Agricultural Supply
An 11-page WATER Institute how-to on this simple agricultural roofwater catchment design. The following is the text and photos from a booklet written by the WATER Institute in 2011. Feel free to download this booklet and share the information widely.
