Deralte, thank-you for taking the time to reply.
The average annual rainfall in my area is about 50". I have been here on and off for close to 40 years. Most every spring, the squall lines roll down the Rocky Mountains like a bolling ball eastward through Oklahoma and through were I reside in SW Arkansas 30 miles from NE Texas. Many thunderstorms develop and occasionally a tornado warning is issued. This is the only year I can recall where thunderstorms did not occur in the spring time (global warming?). Additionally, it has only rained 4 times in 8 months. Recently, the federal government classified the entire state as a disaster area.
I am sold on the idea of rainwater capture for personal consumption, just not for crop irrigation purposes, because of the projected square footage of the source collector system relative to the acreage available for cultivation. Even taking into consideration 50 plus inches of rain per year, this does not figure to be economically feasible to irrigate the maximum of 150 acres of cropland when the temperature is usally 90-100 degrees during the late spring and most of the summer.
For the first time, I am beginning to not consider the development of a water well. I believe it is economically feasible to capture the year around county creek water and divert a portion of the water, without a license, to the crop land when and where needed.
One risk of creek capture would be the local Tyson chicken packing plant upstream about 2 miles away. In my understanding, there is a possibility that growth hormones are placed in their contracted farmer's broiler feed to increase chicken growth rates. When the broilers are butchered, there is probably hormonal residue seeping into this creek. If this is the case, I might have an ear of corn three feet long or maybe if I get any ears, and eat an ear, I would look like Arnold the gov. of California.
The local regulations are lenient relative to most states in regards to aquifier use since Arkansas is a Natural State and very beautiful. There are not many people living here because the government and the conservative older citizens maintain a low usary law (interest rate cap) which may prevent banks from moving in, and ultimately business.
In this area, the Nacodoches aquifier is not being depleted, at least so far. Basically, this aquifier is about a 30 mile underground river and runs under the property 400 feet down. When the surface water seeps into this aquifier, the water accumulates vital minerals. I believe the state requires each well driller to be licensed, although I am not positive, and if not, I would consider drilling my own water well to save some of the $4K cash flow.
The gas well drilling conept is very interesting and has not been considered as a reality. I am aware of bromine and oil drilling 50 miles south, and natural gas drilling 100 miles north. Additionally, I have a couple years experience working on massive drilling rigs in the early 80s in western Oklahoma and the panhandle of Texas.
I am thinking about alternatives of fuel to run farm machinery. So far, the best idea I have appears to be biodielsal produced from crops grown.
The Timber Frame blind wall concept appears to be a great idea, and so far, is a great example of what I am looking for. The blind wall would enable expansion in the horizontal direction, but what about the vertical direction, say from level one to level three or level two to level three? Would this horizontal solution also address the vertical expansion at the same time, as long as the loading is calculated prior to expansion? In continuing to think out of the box, are there any other possible solutions for expansions to sections? Are there any risks that I may not be seeing?
Dan
