First step to cutting #Swales is building a landscape contour level.
Pretty easy. connect a couple lengths of wood together to form a /\
Then find and check a level surface. attach a cross piece between to make an A such that the cross piece is perfectly level.
Tape a level to the cross piece. Or if you don't have one, use a string and plumb bob from the top of the A, and draw a line where it crosses the cross piece when level.
Then you just plant one leg and move the other around until it's level. drop flags or stakes at the legs. then lift one leg and 180 it and find the next level spot. drop a flag or stake. Keep doing this and you'll mark a contour line across the landscape pretty quickly.
If you need a drainage swale, put a 1-2" block under one leg when you set level on the cross piece. you have to keep the contour level oriented the same way. but now your flags will mark out a contour with a slight drainage grade.
#Landscaping #Permaculture #OffGridLiving