Saving the pond, erosion control project

[RedRock]

Here are some pics of what I've done on both sides of the spillway where the tinhorns are placed, this and the grass seem to be doing a good job so far. One pic is that of the long flat spread the overflow takes before it turns the corner and drops into the deep ravine (where I have other erosion challenges ahead) This same ravine is what was damned up to create the pond. As a special treat for jinman, I'll add a video link for the catfish feeding that live in it. :licking:

‪catfishfeed‬‏ - YouTube

 

[jinman]

As a special treat for jinman, I'll add a video link for the catfish feeding that live in it. :licking:

‪catfishfeed‬‏ - YouTube

Thanks for the video, Sandusky. We just fed our catfish this morning. They heard us coming and were patrolling the bank, going back and forth in a feeding frenzy. When my granddaughter pitched out the first scoop, it was instant chaos. About 40 fish converged on the same 4' x 4' area and inhaled the food. With subsequent scoops pitched in different spots, it became a fish race to the new spots before competition arrived. Fun stuff!

 

[RedRock]

So here's the scenario I'm more worried about because of the drought conditions we are still experiencing. If a thunderstorm happens to dump a lot of rain in a short amount of time, I have a feeling what little topsoil is under these trees is going to wash right down the hill into the pond. Now don't get me wrong, we really, really need the rain, but I don't have the time nor resources to plant a lot of ground cover...it wouldn't even live in this drought.

I'm thinking the only thing I can do is use a combination of sticks, branches, stones, old cut-up rotted fence posts, etc. in strategic spots up this hill. Ironically stuff Ive spent several months picking up.

 

[SandburRanch]

Nature puts willow trees in similar areas for erosion control so the sooner they can be established the sooner control will be effective. Although I've never had the need to, I've read that willows can be started from cuttings but it seems that will need to be tried in early spring or late winter. Although grasses often look more appealing, trees and shrubs excel in erosion control. Good luck with your erosion control.

 

[jinman]

What you can do in dry weather is build terraces. Terrace around areas where erosion might be a problem and then put rocks at the end of the terraces to keep the heavy flow from rutting and eroding at those points. If you let water go where it wants, it will create many ruts, so you terrace to control flow and protect only the areas of high flow around the ends of the terraces. that's what I've done in many places on my property and it works well. A large gentle terrace will also be easy to mow and maintain without hurting the trees due to too much fill in the root zone.

 

[JohninCT]

Take a look at the erosion control fabric. Can leave in place, so might be better than branches and old fence posts.

Erosion Control & Landscape Fabric