Desert Permaculture (currently taking an Oregon State Permaculture class).

I have about 40 acres of raw desert land that little by little I want to green up. I will first work with the arroyos and from there start to make Earth Smiles. I made some “human” beaver dams along the arroyos. I checked them out yesterday and they slowed down the rain but also broke down (not completelt).

Do you recommend me making those dams with just rock from around the land?

What other techniques, ideas do you recommend me?

I can learn how to make adobe bricks and made actual mini dams.

Thanks