Atypical as far as watershed structures are concerned, the Sunanadi watershed has a low relief around the entire area. This project has maintained an appropriate design, wherein the low lands- the main agricultural area for the community would be protected from erosion during a harsh monsoon.

Discussions with the people of the area revealed sites for setting up drainage lines as well as cross-drainage structures to check excessive flow. The Sunanadi comprises three smaller streams, which feed into its main drainage line. Where the gradients of the streams were low, the flow was gentle, but at the point where the three streams met, the force of water was extreme. The community was also able to indicate a point where it was felt that a dam across the Sunanadi was necessary. Though there existed a previous construction, it was rendered partially destroyed by the monsoon run-off.

A dialogue with the villagers who came up with alternatives to deal with the situation tackled the two-sided problem of heavy rainfall and limited funds. The watershed project built a dam across the main drainage line. Diversion bunds, channeled the water along the contours of the land, enabling increased ground water recharge. The entire project was enthusiastically received, and rightly so- since there was a rise in the level of water in the wells and the added advantage of being able to cultivate summer crops.

Though the main dam posed its own problems of insufficient funds being allocated for its construction, meticulous planning helped overcome initial obstacles. By making use of the existing earlier structure reduced the amount of cement and concrete required, the dam was completed within the stipulated budget.
The dam stores water of a depth of 10 ft, in an area of 200x100 ft, thereby providing potential for the year-round irrigation of the downstream fields.
However, this potential is yet to be realised.