filling in waterway with gravel ? Help

[roermo]

A few weeks ago I wrote about clearing a 200x300 heavy wooded area on a steep slop. I am making fair head way. Under a lot of brush I came across a waterway ditch cutting at an angle down the hill. Its about 70 feet long, and 1 to 2 foot deep and not more than that wide. I need to transverse this ditch all along its route. So my question is can I fill this ditch with gravel so water can still find its path through the ditch. Or will it just find a path around the ditch with gravel placed in it. The head water comes from another person property above me and is also street run off. I am thinking later at the bottom of the hill to build a very small pond. This water way only runs in heavy rain. Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks for all the input.
Roger

 

[roermo]

A few weeks ago I wrote about clearing a 200x300 heavy wooded area on a steep slop. I am making fair head way. Under a lot of brush I came across a waterway ditch cutting at an angle down the hill. Its about 70 feet long, and 1 to 2 foot deep and not more than that wide. I need to transverse this ditch all along its route. So my question is can I fill this ditch with gravel so water can still find its path through the ditch. Or will it just find a path around the ditch with gravel placed in it. The head water comes from another person property above me and is also street run off. I am thinking later at the bottom of the hill to build a very small pond. This water way only runs in heavy rain. Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks for all the input.
Roger

 

[AchingBack]

Filling with gravel can be a bad idea, especially if you have a lot of water moving in that ditch. The gravel won't leave enough room for the water, and soon it will be spilling out at various places down the slope. If you must put material in the ditch use at least 6" and up drain rock. That will allow the most water to flow.

 

[AchingBack]

Filling with gravel can be a bad idea, especially if you have a lot of water moving in that ditch. The gravel won't leave enough room for the water, and soon it will be spilling out at various places down the slope. If you must put material in the ditch use at least 6" and up drain rock. That will allow the most water to flow.

 

[CurlyDave]

Isn't this what culverts are made for?

A 20' section of 12" culvert is about $100.

 

[CurlyDave]

Isn't this what culverts are made for?

A 20' section of 12" culvert is about $100.

 

[PineRidge]

Dave when I read the question a culvert came to my mind as well. They are available in all sizes and would take care of your needs.

 

[PineRidge]

Dave when I read the question a culvert came to my mind as well. They are available in all sizes and would take care of your needs.

 

[Farwell]

I agree with the culvert idea as well. IMO it isn't nice to fool with Mother Nature because she will get you when and where you least expect it. The ditch is there because there was enough water, over time, to cut the ditch and the water will find a way to cut another path and that path may be through another location much worse than the existing one.
Farwell

 

[Farwell]

I agree with the culvert idea as well. IMO it isn't nice to fool with Mother Nature because she will get you when and where you least expect it. The ditch is there because there was enough water, over time, to cut the ditch and the water will find a way to cut another path and that path may be through another location much worse than the existing one.
Farwell