Dealing with a unique situation related to underground springs and run off

[boostmg]

Hey guys .. so i've been trying to comprehend whats goin on with a field in my property since i bought it 3 years ago. We bought it and it was wet, we were puzzled by it and didn't know where the water was coming from.

After looking closer at the road, we realized there are about 5 swales which divert water onto our property from the road, we are downslope from a field and our field has a slight downward slope, you can call it an almost level to semi mild hill. The hill runs into a slight valley, then there is a treeline.

The water basically flows to the treeline, then follows the treeline into a creek, which then dumps into a resevoir.

Now the fun part!

I've been trying my damndest to understand whats going on, and to try and dry up the field.

I'm currently in a mode of trial and error. Last year i dug trenches by hand to better control the water being diverted onto our property. I certainly believe it helped, but some spots are still very wet and I believe its because the biggest most flowing trench is having some water come downhill in another direction.

I also do believe i have wet and dry seasons, we are currently going from winter thaw to summer.

I've been trying to learn as much as i can about groundwater, and under ground springs, and perched water, and water tables.

What I am currently struggling to understand is if my land is wet due to runoff or due to high ground water.

I'd say i'm currently in the process of elimination stage myself.

Step 1 for me is to divert the runoff
Step 2 would be to then identify other wetspots once the runoff is diverted

I'd definitely say the fields are usually "waterlogged" but i'm trying to understand if its because of all the runoff or something else like groundwater being close to the surface.

Either way, i'm just trying to figure out the best way to leverage and improve the situation!

So far the best idea i had is step 1, control the runoff, then see how wet things remain.

 

[redman135]

Could you include a photo/sketch showing wet spots and swales and direction of water travel please?

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ OP did that on a previous thread.

Most cost effective way to divert water

Hey everyone ... I have a property that has a field. The state has about 4 swales which diverts runoff onto my property. Last year i dug trenches with a shovel into the dirt to help contain and direct this water, this was a short term desperate fix. The flow is relatively constant for most...

www.tractorbynet.com

Not sure why the new thread was started.

 

[workinonit]

You said the water is coming from the road? Is the road a county road or a state road? I have a state road in front of me that the runoff from goes across my property for 1/2 mile to the watershed ditch. They have to maintain that ditch for me because it drains their road ditches. If you have highway water coming across your property it should be the state's responsibility.

 

[boostmg]

You said the water is coming from the road? Is the road a county road or a state road? I have a state road in front of me that the runoff from goes across my property for 1/2 mile to the watershed ditch. They have to maintain that ditch for me because it drains their road ditches. If you have highway water coming across your property it should be the state's responsibility.

It’s a state road and in the spot where the most water comes there’s someone’s property before the road.

so it’s the road, then the swales which are on a neighbors property, which the state put in, then my field

it’s also not highway water it’s basically a dead end road, just happens to be owned by the state.

the water is the “common enemy” so from what I’ve surmised, the water was already there, icing over the roads badly, which is why it’s now more concentrated and just ultimately hitting my my property, it’s very likely this water naturally goes to my property as well, but it’s just amplified now.

so main point is i don’t believe state is going to do anything about it. We reached out early on and that was our response from them so getting help from them isn’t an option.

 

[boostmg]

^^^ OP did that on a previous thread.

Most cost effective way to divert water

Hey everyone ... I have a property that has a field. The state has about 4 swales which diverts runoff onto my property. Last year i dug trenches with a shovel into the dirt to help contain and direct this water, this was a short term desperate fix. The flow is relatively constant for most...

www.tractorbynet.com

Not sure why the new thread was started.

I started this thread bc that previous one was about digging trenches.

this one is more about trying to understand the mechanics of what’s going on underground and causing the field to be wet.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd get a transit and figure out exactly what the slope really is, not just take your eye's word for it. Water will flow downhill. If it's not flowing, it's already in the lowest spot. If you want it drained, you have to find the dam that's holding it in that spot and remove that dam. Then it will drain. It's just that simple for the surface water.

Then there's the possible issue of you may have an artesian spring under the area. In that case, you're in a pickle. You can drain the surface water as much as you want, but will never stop the source of the water.

Google up "artesian spring" and start reading.

You may want to talk to your local county extension agent, and see if your state has a state geologist that offers free services. Take advantage of your tax dollars and use those services if they are available.

 

[MossRoad]

Division of Geological Survey

Providing geologic information & services needed for responsible management of Ohio’s natural resources.

ohiodnr.gov

 

[deezler]

Why the new thread? It seems like the other thread basically answered your questions, and you conclude here with "step 1, control the runoff, then see how wet things remain".

You probably need to observe it for a long time (like, a year?) after getting the ditches fully operational. Still wet or no?

 

[Rockbadchild]

I would rent a excavator and do ditching for the water to run off as quickly as possible and digging ditch will lower the ground water table and dry up the ground above that point. once the ditch is in place the water table would slowly lowered, it can take a few years. One trick of the trade is to start digging from your lowest point to the highest, I would use a transit to make sure everything flows and there is no low spots where the water can sit …. diverting the road water around your property is also the way to go road water shouldn't drain on your property unless its natural, but would still make drainage ditch to lower the water table.