Ponding  dikes constructed  to slow and control the overland flow of runoff  water were evaluated.  Infiltration and  runoff measure­ ments from a sprinkling infiltrometer indicated  no differences between the control  and the water pending area. Examination of 20  years  of  precipitation   records  for  June  through  September showed  that  enough  pending  events occurred  to supply an ade­ quate  amount  of water for  wetting the soil profile to below the plant  rooting  zone. The control  areas  were low in available  soil water even immediately  following  precipitation events.