The photos in this section illustrate the extensive water management infrastructure currently in place at Monchon. These engineering works were installed by a Russian contractor in the early 1980s as a part of the Guinean government's desire to modernize its production agriculture infrastructure.
The wet season runs from June through early September, during which time 2-3 feet of rainfall is received each month. The natural watershed drains naturally into two creeks that converge near the headquarters site at Monchon.
The water is then channeled through an elaborate canal and dam network that retards the flow of this fresh water and distributes it throughout the 6,000 acres of cleared land before being released into the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh water flows through the canal system from late June through December, so access to irrigation water is restricted to about seven months each year. Minor restrictions to the volume of water entering the canal system may extend the available irrigation period by another month, well into January.
The entire farm is very flat and just a few feet above sea level, which presents a small challenge of keeping sea water from being pushed inland into the canals during high tides. The four concrete dams each have automatic flap gates that allow water to flow to the sea, but prevent brackish water from entering fresh water zones of the canal system at high tide.
The wet season runs from June through early September, during which time 2-3 feet of rainfall is received each month. The natural watershed drains naturally into two creeks that converge near the headquarters site at Monchon.
The water is then channeled through an elaborate canal and dam network that retards the flow of this fresh water and distributes it throughout the 6,000 acres of cleared land before being released into the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh water flows through the canal system from late June through December, so access to irrigation water is restricted to about seven months each year. Minor restrictions to the volume of water entering the canal system may extend the available irrigation period by another month, well into January.
The entire farm is very flat and just a few feet above sea level, which presents a small challenge of keeping sea water from being pushed inland into the canals during high tides. The four concrete dams each have automatic flap gates that allow water to flow to the sea, but prevent brackish water from entering fresh water zones of the canal system at high tide.
This is a small drainage canal serving two fields. At present, it is possible to push irrigation water to the high side of the two fields pictured here. This does eliminate any drainage, however.
Amerigui Plantation will install underground PVC pipelines charged by high volume irrigation pumps to deliver water to the high sides of each field. Dam level settings will be kept sufficiently low to allow field drainage in all seasons. Modern rice farming techniques necessitate the ability to add or remove water from fields as an integral part of weed control, fertilizer managment, and crop development programs.
This photo, taken in April 2006 near the end of the dry season, is of the upstream side of one of the concrete dams. The backflow of water into the upstream side of the dam is leakage from the flap gates on the sea water side of the dam. Refurbishment of the rusted flap gates is necessary to alleviate the contamination of fresh water by brackish water.
This is a water discharge gate for a tract of farmland nearest the ocean. Irrigation water is delivered to this area from other points, but drainage is achieved through this exit gate and then out to the ocean.
This dam retains water in an area of about 1,000 acres. A road across the top provides vehicle access to about 400 acres of farmland. The photo was taken in April 2006 during the dry season, so the water pictured is not flowing and is just pooled until it begins flowing once the rains arrive in June.
This is another dam also serving as a bridge so that local villagers may cross from one side of the main canal to the other. About 4,000 people live in peripheral areas surrounding the Monchon rice plains.
This is a junction of the main canal and two majors arteries leading in opposite directions. Villagers do a little fishing here to supplement their food needs. The site is a natural meeting place and would make a nice spot for a concession stand supported by a small gas-powered generator for refrigeration and lighting.
This photo of the same area as the one above was taken in August 2006 near the end of the wet season. See the contrast in foliage between April and August. Note the clarity of the fresh water flowing through the dam. Tempting to take a drink, but I would advise persons not from the region against it.
Also taken in August 2006, this photo shows the downstream side of the dam with its flap gates designed to prevent high tides from pushing brackish water to inland areas.
This photo provides a nice overview of the junction point. Fresh water is flowing through the dam gates, people are milling about, and you can get a sense of the very flat terrain. My guess is that the whole 6,000 acres of irrigated land probably lies within 4-5 feet of the same elevation. There are several sites like this throughout coastal West Africa in need of land and water resouce development before significant crop production can take place.
Another view of a minor concrete dam that retains water in canals serving about 1,500 acres. The flap gates are in need of refurbishment after being exposed to the elements for about 25 years.
Another shot of the main dam at the junction site. By adjusting the three gates pictured, one can flood or drain about 3,000 acres of farmland. I believe this photo was taken in November several years ago.
This is the reverse angle of the same dam pictured above, taken at the same time. There are a few bicycles and 125-cc motorbikes used by the villagers to get around, but the vast majority are pedestrians.
This is a view of the principle canal as it exits the Monchon rice plains. The water marks on the banks signify the level of the high tide.
From here the water flows through a channel for about one mile until it joins the Atlantic Ocean. Drop a message in a bottle here and it may be picked up by someone in the eastern Caribbean, North Carolina, Maine, or Labrador a few months later.
