Dirt Moving Meandering creek...

[whistlepig]

I once moved a rock that weighed about 300 pounds and deposited it in the middle of our creek just to get it put of my way. The next big flood we had it had washed away. The power of water is pretty incredible. But I have and still do see people using busted up concrete and large rocks to control bank erosion. It does work. Granted it is an ongoing process and the rock will have to be constantly replenished.

 

[dnels0n]

Creeks and rivers meander from cut bank to cut bank over time (geologic time that is). The forces at work are often tremendous, and the science is complex. What happens up-stream affects the meandering downstream. Don't be surprised if what seems to be an obvious solution does not last in the long run. It is the big rains that get you.

I know this may not be information you want to hear, but you should consider either employing a specialist, or educate yourself on civil engineering stream banks.

Re:What happens upstream... I have noticed this spring that the creek does not seem to get "up" so quickly during hard rains. A timber company has been clear cutting and planting pines East of here where much of the stream originates and the bulk of those trees are now between 3 and 8 years old so maybe the flooding will be lessened by the slowing of the run off.

Don

 

[dnels0n]

"geomorphology"

My partner here (engineering company) is a hydrologist. In soft soils with fast water the creek channel will move, as you are seeing, lots of scour on the outside bank. On the inside bank silt settles.

Fastest solution is armor the outside with rip rap. Lots of it. If you want a little more margin, stack battered gabions then bury it it with rip rap.

If you want a retaining wall, get it engineered. If you want to use locking blocks, at least get the footing engineered. The trick with any rigid retention is preventing undermining. On critical walls they inspect every couple of years and pump grout into the voids.

The hydrologists like to say, "You are fighting nature, all erosion control is temporary." Best expected life is reinforced concrete (50 years), but you can get a couple of decades out of stacked gabions.

Good suggestions here but would strongly recommend against timber.

Edit: Your place is BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks RD...
About 12 years ago we were home shopping and my wife came out and looked at this place although it was about $150 K out of our price range. She said "Go look! Its worth the trip out just to see it."
By the time I got to that spot on the driveway I had decided to make an offer.:laughing: It took another year to sell our house and complete the transaction but we have never looked back.
Everyone is welcome to look at any of the unprotected galleries here, many were shot around the creek.
DONALD NELSON's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

Don