Sunken streambed structures (called doh in India) are rectangular excavations in seasonal streambeds, which are intended to capture and hold runoff to enhance groundwater recharge, thus increasing water for irrigation from nearby shallow
wells. Dohs are built in semi-arid areas where rainfall is low and seasonal. The dimension of a typical doh is 1.0 – 1.5 m deep with variable length (up to 40 m) and width (up to 10 m) depending on streambed section, with an average capacity of 400 m³.
Dohs are generally built in sequence. They may be as close as a few metres apart. The technology is used in conjunction with shallow wells (odees), which enable farmers to harvest the increased groundwater for supplementary irrigation of annual crops – including vegetables such as chilli peppers. Water is pumped out of the wells. (Mekdaschi & Liniger 2013)