Qochas

The qochas or rustic microdams are water reservoirs that take advantage of the natural depression of the soil to build a dam that allows rainwater to be captured and stored, so as to increase water infiltration and for subsequent use, mainly agricultural. The qochas can be classified into three groups, which depend on the speed of water infiltration into the soil. The first are the harvest qochas, which have a low infiltration coefficient, so they serve to store water for later use. The second are the planting qochas, which register a high infiltration coefficient, store the water very temporarily and it infiltrates into the subsoil and local aquifers. Finally, as a third group, the mixed qochas, which have a medium infiltration coefficient, their main characteristic is that the rainwater that fills the qocha is infiltrated until it reaches the limit or area of influence.