Small barriers or inflatable dams
in dry river beds to slow down the flow so that it has time to soak in.
Plastic and wire barrier in dry bed in New Mexico
Close-up of barrier
Objections by authorities:
Water rights for users down stream. When there has been no water in the Santa Cruz for pumping in decades? the authorities seem to forget that if you don't use your surface water, you lose the rights!
Barriers will silt up. So what! There will be small pools formed where water can really soak in.