Building Crossing Over Seasonal Runoff/Stream

Engine66 · Apr 1, 2008

I have a seasonal stream following snow melt, rains, etc. that I would like to cross over. Unfortunately, crossing it is only possible during a deep freeze or the driest time of summer when it's mushy. Otherwise it's plain wet and muddy. The site in mind is about 10' wide and slight depression where water accumulates. Any of you have good ideas for building a crossing? I was thinking of building up each side a bit with the BH, put down corrugated drainpipe, and cover wet area and pipe with large sized crushed rock. Any ideas, suggestions, problems, etc. you can share? Thanks for the help, ideas.

JB4310 · Apr 1, 2008

I have just about the same problem based on your dimensions mine totally dries in the summer, I first dug it out a little and put some gravel in, but mine is pretty flat so the water does sit there and it still got muddy.
I think you answered your own question, just a basic culvert. I didn't want to do it at first but I think now I will, mine is only draining the run off from a few acres, but when it rains hard, especially in the winter/spring it does flow pretty good, I was thinking about laying 3-4 pcs of 6" pipe down side by side and covering over it with gravel, this way I wouldn't have a big mound to drive over if a larger in diameter pipe was used.

If yours has alot of standing/ponding water you will want to fill in under the pipe a little so they are not completely submerged, maybe a quarter submerged is OK, that way they wont get completely filled with sediment, it will cause the water to pond up on the up hill side but that shouldn't be a problem.
A couple of pics showing an extreme event, fixed much of this by cutting a swale with the box blade

JB4310 · Apr 1, 2008

Wow! click-able thumbs and I didn't even try to do that, something new???

Engine66 · Apr 1, 2008

JB...thanks...great pics. Your boxblade did a great job with your soil...wish mine was that way...I have too many rocks in soil. I'll try to post some of my site. Anyone have any pics of their similar projects?

bigballer · Apr 3, 2008

here's a link to my culvert project i did last fall, ALOT of water has moved through it this winter and it's holding up great.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/108346-culvert-seasonal-ditch.html

Engine66 · Apr 4, 2008

Bigballer...nice job on your project...very, very similar to what I am going to do. Now that it's done and you have had some time to re-examine it's operation...do you find any sediment building up on the inlet side? Also, and maybe Eddie can answer this, would a low-head dam, or dug out section ahead of inlet side allow sediment to sink and deposit before getting to the pipe or is your rock arrangemet sufficient? I like the cement bag idea...excellent, economical, easy, expandable...list goes on...very nice. Thanks for the valuable input and pics!!!

bigballer · Apr 7, 2008

the rock arrangement in front of the inlet stops alot of debris and probably allows some of the sediment to drop out because the water slows down there before spilling over towards the inlet. overall it's held up really well and i don't really see anything at this point that needs attention except for the floor of the ditch. i might add some small rocks there i have been gathering around the property. i am also toying with the idea of adding a few more sections of pipe to it and covering up so i can extend my usable area around the back of the barn..

good luck!