Ocucaje ponds

Ocucaje ponds are a traditional water management technology used in the Ica Valley, Peru. They consist of artificial ponds built to capture and store floodwaters coming from the Andean highlands during the rainy season. These structures temporarily retain water and promote its infiltration into the soil, contributing to the recharge of underground aquifers in an arid region where water resources are limited.

In addition to their recharge function, the ponds are integrated into irrigation systems used by local farmers, helping maintain water availability for agricultural production. Overall, they represent a sustainable solution that combines surface storage and infiltration, adapted to the valley’s climatic conditions.