The Ditch Water Discovery Center

The Ditch Water Discovery Center (“THE DITCH”) is a distinguished example of sustainable design and environmental stewardship. As a proud recipient of the SITES Gold certification, this innovative center exemplifies a deep commitment to ecological integrity, resource efficiency, and community engagement. ⁠⁠

In collaboration with Studio Outside.

Conceived as part of the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District’s mission, THE DITCH demonstrates how thoughtful design can protect groundwater resources while fostering meaningful community education. The landscape integrates bioswales, rain gardens, native vegetation, and a rainwater capture system that manages nearly two inches of rainfall on-site, dramatically reducing runoff and achieving a 97% reduction in potable water use.

Powered entirely by renewable energy, the site also incorporates reclaimed and recycled materials, along with a net-zero energy outdoor classroom designed for deconstruction and reuse.⁠⁠

A restored prairie further enriches the experience, supporting wildlife habitat, sequestering carbon, and strengthening the site’s hydrology. Along winding trails, visitors encounter installations that bring these systems to life, from a rammed-earth wall revealing the geology of the Trinity Aquifer to native plant displays that highlight drought resilience to a mural embedded with stainless steel tubes that represent the density of groundwater wells.