The rain from the large roof is captured and evenly spread down a flat wire mesh and into a channel the crosses under the deck, emerging into a cobble swale through the meadow. Not only is the small amount of rain we get in California a precious commodity it can ironically become a vector of harmful pollutants. The typical scenario would quickly convey this water to the gutter where it would pick up speed and volume and collect chemicals from the street, eventually entering a creek or ocean where we and wildlife swim in it. It's so easy to do things differently. Andri Beauchamp, photo www.lanegoodkind.com