Reversing Drought: The Surprising Lessons San Antonio Can Learn from the Saudi Desert
With the Edwards Aquifer hitting critical lows and water restrictions tightening, the impact of a dwindling water supply is everywhere in San Antonio and Central Texas.
However, hope lies in learning from others who have faced similar challenges worldwide. In a 2022 conversation I recorded with regenerative land expert Neal Spackman, I explored how innovative, community-centered techniques used in some of the world’s driest regions could offer a pathway to water resilience for communities like ours.
A Bold Approach to Water Resilience from the Deserts of Saudi Arabia
Neal Spackman’s work in Saudi Arabia’s Al Baydha Project offers more than just a list of techniques; it’s a model for transforming parched land into a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem. Spackman worked with local tribes to implement natural water retention systems, capturing rain in swales, rock check dams, and other structures designed to slow runoff and allow water to seep into the ground.
Over time, vegetation returned, soil improved, and biodiversity flourished—all in a landscape that had been almost devoid of life.
Spackman’s project shows that change of course doesn’t happen overnight. “Our goal wasn’t just to ‘fix’ the desert,” he explained. “It was to build a foundation where the ecosystem could sustain itself long-term.” For San Antonio, these lessons could be transformative, pointing to sustainable, community-led approaches that focus on replenishing water sources rather than merely conserving what remains.
Sustained Impact: Regeneration at Al Baydha
Spackman recently shared an update on Al Baydha, offering powerful evidence of its continued success—even years after active intervention ceased.
After halting work in 2016, his team left the land to see if their initial restoration efforts would hold. Despite severe droughts from 2016 to 2018, satellite data now shows increased vegetation in the area, indicating the ecosystem is stabilizing and thriving on its own.
“This project has become a prototype for reversing desertification,” Spackman shared. “As the land absorbs more water, it supports greater plant and animal life, leading to an upward spiral where life compounds on life.” For San Antonio, this means that implementing even modest practices could set off similar self-sustaining cycles, enhancing biodiversity, soil quality, and water retention across the city and region.
Applying Water Harvesting Techniques in San Antonio
So how can San Antonio adapt Spackman’s techniques to combat our own drought crisis? Here’s what could work:
1. Natural Water Retention in Key Areas
In nature, water doesn’t always flow directly to rivers or reservoirs. Instead, it often seeps into the ground, slowly filtering down to replenish underground water supplies, like the Edwards Aquifer, which supplies much of San Antonio’s drinking water. However, during droughts or with heavy development, this natural process is disrupted, causing rainwater to run off quickly, often heading straight to storm drains.
One solution is to build simple structures in the landscape that help slow down and capture rainwater so it can soak into the soil. These structures include:
• Swales: Shallow trenches filled with plants or gravel that catch rainwater, allowing it to settle and sink gradually into the ground. Swales can be placed along hillsides, parks, and even large backyards.
• Rock Check Dams: Small “dams” made from rocks or stones, placed in low areas where rainwater naturally flows. These small barriers slow the water down, allowing more time for it to absorb into the ground instead of rushing off quickly.
• Gabions: Wire cages filled with rocks, often set up along slopes or erosion-prone areas, that hold water back, preventing soil erosion and giving the ground time to soak up the water.
By installing these natural water retention systems in areas around San Antonio—especially in the aquifer recharge zones in Bexar County—we can help ensure more rainwater stays in the ground, feeding the aquifer and providing a sustainable water source for the city.
2. Using Native Plants and Silvopasture to Restore Soil
Spackman emphasized that native trees and vegetation can play a crucial role in stabilizing soil and retaining moisture. Silvopasture, or integrating trees into grazing lands, helps preserve soil structure, shade plants, and prevent erosion. “These are low-cost, high-impact solutions that Texas landscapes can easily adopt,” Spackman said. In San Antonio, native landscaping in public parks, schools, and even private properties could bolster water retention and soil health.
3. Community-Centered Solutions
The Al Baydha Project’s success was as much about people as it was about land. Engaging local communities helped the project thrive long-term. Spackman believes a similar model of community involvement is crucial for San Antonio: “If residents don’t feel a connection to the project, it’s hard to sustain.” Workshops, community garden projects, and neighborhood meetings could foster a sense of ownership in drought resilience efforts, empowering people to be part of the solution.
But, Does it Really Work?
The Al Baydha Project’s results speak for themselves. Over eight years, the area saw an increase in vegetation, improved soil quality, and better water retention.
These outcomes show that even in one of the world’s most arid regions, regenerative practices can create measurable environmental change. Applying these techniques in San Antonio might have a more profound effect, given that the Edwards Aquifer has greater capacity for recharge and the city’s green spaces already offer opportunities for water retention.
However, it’s worth noting that Saudi Arabia’s model was not without challenges. The initial investment was substantial, and success required the commitment of both local government and residents. These factors are essential considerations as San Antonio evaluates what resources and community engagement would be needed to implement similar projects here.
Adapting the Model for San Antonio’s Unique Challenges
While promising, Spackman’s methods are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The Al Baydha Project’s success relied heavily on a consistent team and significant financial backing, both of which can be challenging to secure.
San Antonio would also need to navigate property rights issues and water laws that complicate the use of public lands and recharge zones for large-scale water retention projects.
In Spackman’s view, though, there’s still room for optimism: “Even small steps, like pilot programs in public parks or schoolyards, can help build momentum.” Starting small and scaling up gradually, he believes, is key to overcoming these hurdles and demonstrating the feasibility of regenerative projects.
For San Antonians: What You Can Do
Building a water-resilient San Antonio will require all of us to get involved. Here are some practical steps:
• Join a Water Retention Workshop: Learn how you can create small-scale water retention systems in your own yard or community. Local organizations offer workshops on sustainable gardening and landscaping practices that benefit our aquifer. Every spring and fall, SAWS also offers a day-long Rain-to-Drain field trip so you can learn about the source of your drinking water.
• Advocate for Water Resilience Policies: Let your city council members know that you support water resilience initiatives. Community advocacy is crucial for securing the funding and policy changes needed to make these projects a reality.
• Participate in Native Plant Programs: Many local nurseries and organizations, including the San Antonio Botanical Garden, offer resources for creating native landscapes. Planting drought-resistant, native species can support soil and water health across the city. My two favorite local nurseries offering Texas Native Plants are Pollinatives & The Nectar Bar.
Could San Antonio Become a Model for Drought Resilience?
Reflecting on Spackman’s success in the Saudi desert, it’s easy to imagine what these changes could mean for San Antonio: green parks brimming with native plants, soil rich with nutrients, and a resilient aquifer providing water security for future generations.
San Antonio has a unique chance to lead in drought resilience, showing how a community can rise to meet the challenges of a changing, drier climate.
The road won’t be easy, but by investing in long-term, community-centered solutions, San Antonio can secure its water future—and build a more sustainable city for all of us who call it home.
