Harvesting rain...snow

It is amazing how much snow we still have in our north and south facing yards since the huge snow storms in January.  Over a year ago we added rain basins to our north facing front yard to hold the rain on our property (rather than it filling the water sewers). The ideas come from http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/, a totally amazing approach to harvesting rain in arid environments.  We plan to add more basins this spring.

We are also planning to cut our curb. The curb cut will capture some of the street run-off into our yard. Secure a city permit and re-mark the public utilities (and rent equipment to cut the curb), and we are set.  We purchased a metal culvert last year, and it sits until we can afford to convert it to a rain water cistern above ground. If only large sums of dollars landed magically in our lap -- then we could move forward with these great projects. I dream...

I can't wait to see this spring. The slow melting of the snow should give our growing season a great head start.