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.
