Need to create a gentle incline into creek

[MarkV]

I owned a Terramite and it would dig the slope you show in the photo. It will be slow but it will dig it. I am not sure how well it would work in the water with 2wd and low clearance though. What I would be concerned with is whether it would last after you cut it out. You describe some pretty fast moving high water and your second photo looks like a slope that was cut by water. What is going to keep your new ramp from washing out in the next spring rains?

MarkV

 

[thatguy]

Im not sure what the environmental laws are in your area - but in a lot of places you possibly need to get a permit to do what you want to do.. The Dept of Environmental Quality (or similar state agency) doesnt like ppl disturbing waterways, even on your own land.. There are also some fines involved for 'asking for forgiveness' afterward..

You may want to contact someone to ask what, if any, permits are needed - and even if they will allow you do what you want.

Good luck

Brian

 

[EddieWalker]

thatguy has a good point. If a neighbor or somebody sees you modifying the creek, or causing excessive silt flow, you could be in allot of trouble in certain parts of the country. Of couse, if you are maintaining, or improving an existing entry point to cross or enter the creek, that would be a totally different story.

Never build new, only improve what's already there!!!!!

I saw a guy put in a pond, have the Park District and Environmentalists bring helicopters to his land and accuse him of building a new pond without permits. He told them the pond had always been there, he was just cleaning it out and improving the dam.

The couldn't prove otherwise and after allot of huffing and puffing, they gave up.

Eddie

 

[drssg]

Like tuolumne suggests, have you considered a bridge?

I don't know the width you're dealing with, but it might turn out to be cheaper and easier than digging out and maintaining the slope. There could be less issue with erosion due to less ground disturbance.

 

[darkday]

I don't know what's going to stop it from washing out again. I don't have the best understanding of hydrodynamics however it has been there on it's own for years until I come along with a new highly capable HPX that digs large ruts in it just before a large flood. Then whack it's all gone. I'll check on laws but for now I am safe as this has been here since forever. I don't think we do have any laws though, Iowa has very few laws in regards to the enviroment I have found.

Right now the water level is up a foot and half or so and the creek has turned back into a raging torrent so it looks like I'm done with this for awhile. I included a pic with a red line showing about where the water is. it should be interesting to see what it looks like when the water subsides.