OP
carpenter383
Platinum Member
thanks studor that makes good sence to me
Need help on dry branch water control
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radioman
Super Member
How about several ponds dug out in middle of the ravine in several places and stragetically put logs in the path of stream with LARGE spaces to let warter flow but it still absorbs some kinetic engery of water rushing? with water hitting logs/rocks it would absorb some of the rushing energy and then flow into the pond it would calm down and with each pond being full it can flow out gracefully into the next pond some ways down to slow it down even more ? basically when you dig out the pond, hopefully you won't hit any clay so you can use the pond as a place to drain the water. Even if you get clay, its always nice to have ponds for value. I would guess that this plan would work great only when you have heavy summer thunderstorms, but in fall and spring when you get constant rain and ponds fill up, its just a matter of finding a way to divert the water to a better location.
Egon
Epic Contributor
It might not hurt to figure out the volume of water that flows during the flooding times. Then you'd have a better idea of what may work if you want to build some structures for flow control!
Lil_FarmerJim
Silver Member
I would agree with Egon, you need to determine how much water you will be trying to slow before you can build something that will last.
But just looking at the photos, you could build a series of wing dams that will create small pond points in the ravine. I would use galvanized steel stone cage filled with 2-3" stone. That way its pouris enough to still allow water to flow when its not raging and to slow it down with out stopping it completely when it is. Dig it in across the ravine and create a spill way in the middle.
Take it for what its worth, like all free advice.
But just looking at the photos, you could build a series of wing dams that will create small pond points in the ravine. I would use galvanized steel stone cage filled with 2-3" stone. That way its pouris enough to still allow water to flow when its not raging and to slow it down with out stopping it completely when it is. Dig it in across the ravine and create a spill way in the middle.
Take it for what its worth, like all free advice.
OP
carpenter383
Platinum Member
How would I go about figuring the ammount of water? It makes perfect sence though It would give me a better idea on how to size each dam. The caged rock idea sounds like it would work good, any idea on prices and weight of these?......Radioman that's exactly what I need to do reduce the kinetic energy of the rushing water by slowing it down. I might try laying some logs in there in various lengths to fit the banks of the ravine longways while leaving space in between them. That would be the cheapest thing to do, but would'nt be a permanent fix of course. Thanks again for the ideas everyone
Egon
Epic Contributor
For volume you would have to pick a place where you can determine the area of the channel over a few feet. Then measure a fixed horizontal distance and time a floatable for that distance when the stream is flowing.
From those numbers you have velocity and volume from which a total quantity could be calculated.
From those numbers you have velocity and volume from which a total quantity could be calculated.
OP
carpenter383
Platinum Member
For volume you would have to pick a place where you can determine the area of the channel over a few feet. Then measure a fixed horizontal distance and time a floatable for that distance when the stream is flowing.
From those numbers you have velocity and volume from which a total quantity could be calculated.
Ok thanks for your help I appreciate it
Lil_FarmerJim
Silver Member
Rock cage can be made pretty cheaply by the DIY'er. Just get some heavy duty Galvanized steel fencing and cut sections to make a box, then twist tie it together with the same ties that are used on steel rebar. Or you can go that extra step and tack weld them together.
If you don't feel like going to that much trouble just go to your local quarry and inquire with them where you can get it.
If you don't feel like going to that much trouble just go to your local quarry and inquire with them where you can get it.
wvpolekat
Platinum Member
I would recommend AGAINST any dams or similar efforts to slow the flow with obstructions or restrictions.
If you are already having problems with flooding, these will only make it worse.
The only answers are increasing capacity/flow by enlarging the stream bed, or diverting all or some of the flow.
If the stream is flowing, but is out of it's banks, adding anything to it like rip rap or dams will only reduce it's capacity. The idea should be to allow it to flow through without getting out of it's banks. This will prevent all of the other damage/problems you are getting due to this. To do this, you will have to enlarge it.
If the problem is that the stream is not flowing or ends on your property, the only options will be containment or regrading it to let it continue flowing.
If you are already having problems with flooding, these will only make it worse.
The only answers are increasing capacity/flow by enlarging the stream bed, or diverting all or some of the flow.
If the stream is flowing, but is out of it's banks, adding anything to it like rip rap or dams will only reduce it's capacity. The idea should be to allow it to flow through without getting out of it's banks. This will prevent all of the other damage/problems you are getting due to this. To do this, you will have to enlarge it.
If the problem is that the stream is not flowing or ends on your property, the only options will be containment or regrading it to let it continue flowing.
SPIKER
Elite Member
might I suggest that if you require future access to the areas up stream that you make wide shallow earthen dams with center creek bottom culverts that will pass the water through at a reduced rate. it may take several of these to catch all of the water that is rushing through on high volume rain days. the dams need to be wide & compacted enough to not erode or be pushed down stream. the culverts "Plural" should be of a few different sizes bottom of the crick will have say a 12" dia then out to each side a few feet and UP (so that the bottom of the 2 more culverts to each side) are above the level of the first smaller culvert. Line the area behind the dams with rip rap where the water will be rushing fast, or even pour a concrete spillway section that contains the flow rushing out of the culverts, as well as a low section just in case something plugs the culverts so that WHEN the dam does over-top it will not wash out. the dams heights should be only a few feet above the flat fill up/pond landing. you may need 3 or 4 dams to contain enough water to slow it down. to a steady flow. they should also drain pretty much completely out when dry. they will require some maintenance such as removing sticks logs ect... also plant with good deep rooting grass on both sides and keep trees from growing along the dams so roots do not get into them. the dams should also be wide & shallow enough to mow easily, (as they can be made to yard park looking areas.) would require some equipment (good sized tractor and or smaller dozer, but could be done one in a weekend without a lot of extra worry.
use the UPHILL side of the dam to dig down & move the dirt downhill enough to make the earth dams & create a wide flat flood plain pond bottom above the dams when the rains come fast & fill the area to slowly drain down through the small culverts...
Mark
use the UPHILL side of the dam to dig down & move the dirt downhill enough to make the earth dams & create a wide flat flood plain pond bottom above the dams when the rains come fast & fill the area to slowly drain down through the small culverts...
Mark
