Large culvert for creek crossing???

[bradm64]

If the county replaced with a 8 footer upstream of you, then I draw a couple conclusions:

1) they probably at least did some evaluation of watershed and determined an 8 would handle the flow.

2) you are downstream, so would expect at least same, if not greater water flow

3) their 8 would catch debris that would not flow through an 8 footer, and filter out for you, with exception of stuff that gets in between their bridge and your property.

4) unless you can have your crossing set low enough that high volumes would overflow it and not erode, I think going smaller than the county crossing would be pretty risky.

 

[kidr]

Maybe you could find some old large fuel tanks that would work. I see lots used that way. I used one in my driveway. works fine and the price was right.

 

[Carykong]

I would consider wrapping your fill gravel with chicken wire in the event your culvert pipe fails and you experience a wash over. I have seen creek crossings at Yorktown Battlefield national park that are usually in a wash over condition (less that 6" over the top). Ya just drive your car through the water to the next bank. The wash over area is a a concrete pad impregnated with plenty of stone. If your crossing is usually dry, this solution may be an option. Cheap solution. Two pressure treated timbers about 8 feet apart laid perpendicular to the creek flow and anchored well into the bank. Fill with gravel. Done!

 

[rjmack]

I have the option of buying both culverts for double the money 1800 for both 20'ft I have priced this stuff and it is expensive! Over a 100.00 a ft. Thanks again for the replys!

that doesn't sound so bad, it cost me $80.00/ft for 48" galvanized.

 

[DaveOmak]

For what it's worth.
Here in Washington, Fish and Wildlife has been replacing culverts. They said fish won't pass thru them. Electro magnetic fields or something. This includes streams that flow periodically. Not sure if it's all species of fish or what the deal is.
You may want to check with your DF&W. Streams are pretty well protected anymore.

 

[DJ54]

I'm not sure about Indiana, but here in Ohio, it's not the County, or the State, but the Army Corps of Engineers. When we replaced roadway culverts 18" or larger, we had to document it to them... Go figure...

I have also seen places where double round culvets were used. Hard to compact in between, and rodents burrowing in between, even crawfish getting a place started for water to perk it's way through made for some costly repairs. Anymore concrete box culverts, with headwalls, and 3' deep footers, seem to be the way they are doing for low headroom, high volume flows.

I believe I would see if you can contact the Army Corp. of Engineers, and see if it is possible to put it in, before spending any money. They may spec it out for you... I would go with a single pipe of your choice... There had to be a watershed study on that pipe before putting it in. Maybe contact your County Engineer's office, and see who did the study. A good question to ask if it was done for a 100, 250, 500, or 750 year rain cycle.

If you go ahead and put it in anyway, and they happen to catch it. I suppose there is a possiblilty they could come in and remove it, after giving you fair notice to do so yourself. And the possibility of them assesing the cost to you, via your property taxes, or some other legal means.

I have cleaned up the aftermath of 3, 500 year rains, and 1, 750 year rain cycle in the time span of less than 10 years, in different ares of our District.

Just like the flooding in Nashville last year, it wouldn't really matter what was put in, it wouldn't handle that volume of water, in such a short period of time...

 

[kbota5100]

I don't know if you have done any math on it, but it will take at least 3 five foot culverts to handle the same water a 8 foot culvert would. Something to think about. I think I would stay with what the county put in.

 

[murfdog]

Thanks for replies! Always some good info on here. Deciding to go with the two 6'x20' pipe placed side by side in the creek bed. I have another access to property but comes in on neighbors land. I can use this anytime for larger truck access ie concrete or rock trucks.
I plan to lay culverts in creek and use some type of form to pour concrete into the middle of them also using rebar. then for the the top maybe 2"x12"s in a box form then filled with concrete with gravel worked into it. I think this will hold. in the event of flash flood, the water may go around but wont take the pipe out. Looked at county hwy job and they have only about a foot of gravel on their culvert. Kind of a bad job if u ask me but they are the pro's. HA HA.

 

[kbota5100]

That sounds like a good plan to me, the two 6' culverts has a little more area than a single 8' culvert so you should be fine.

 

[CharlieTR]

I think it would be a good idea to get some information from the USDA soil and conservation guys on how many acres of land drain into that creek above your culvert. They can tell you sizing if you ask them. Or just ask them the amount of acres and put their answer here in this thread. If they say 380 acres, that a heck of a lot more than 40 or 60.

If you do go with 2, remember you are making 4 arches. 2 right-side-up and 2upside-down. All arches must be complete with no gaps. As someone said, put the culverts together will prevent back filling to make the arches on bottom complete.