Got asked to bid a very unusual project

[quicksandfarmer]

I'm thinking a cable across the river upstream of the bridge, then a barge/pontoon boat/raft or something that you use as a working platform to get close to the logs, but always upstream and secured. Tie a cable onto a log, move out of the way and try winching it from the shore. Once you get a log to shore you've still got the problem of how to deal with them, they're going to be really heavy.

I don't know how to deal with the risk of the whole thing giving way, even if you put something downstream to catch them you're just moving the problem further down. Maybe ask the client to indemnify you?

You could try putting cables on all the major logs before removing anything, but that could also just end up with a dangerous tangle if everything gives way at once.

 

[airbiscuit]

Why does the customer want it removed?

 

[zzvyb6]

I would find a wire rope 'fishnet' used at gravel pits, use a boat to enclose one side of this beaver dam with the net, and pull with cable or chains safely away from the creek bank. The 'fishnet' cables should slip under the bottom of the jam and the top should overlap. Draw the ends in to entrap the pile. A crawler dozer usually already has a long steel wire rope on a winch in the back for pulling out lots of stuff. Then sell the pile to pay for it all: "Prehistoric Glacially Entrapped Pre-Jurasic Sell-You_Louis Fibre Library /For Sell or trade for a Barrett M99 with Scope"

 

[rScotty]

Check out this log jam removal'

Work with the flow of the river
Use a rope that will break if needed

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I wonder what that guy in the boat figures he is going to do when the pile begins to move....

 

[two_bit_score]

Thoughts?

First thought is dymamite.

 

[Streetcar]

How fast is current in stream.
in my area there are modular pontoons that connect for rent.
crane with clam is what I have used in similar situations

 

[Hay Dude]

Why does the customer want it removed?

The river floods badly. They have realized the log jams (there are several) are causing “resistance” to water flow. The water backs up, floods the museum and its parking lot.

 

[Hay Dude]

How fast is current in stream.
in my area there are modular pontoons that connect for rent.
crane with clam is what I have used in similar situations

Crane with clam is my “go-to” as of now, but I have to see if my crane guy has such an attachment, or who does.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, um I don’t think this is quite that extreme, but thanks for the scare tactics

 

[BleedingOrange]

Does the river freeze over solid enough for you to do this job in the coldest time of winter ?

 

[Chewwy]

I’m not sure I understand the concern about debris floating down stream. Weren’t they floating downstream when they got lodged where they are now?

 

[2manyrocks]

If it were me not having a clue about what the actual liability risks are here, I wouldn't bid until I had consulted with an attorney who knows this area of the law and was certain that I had the appropriate insurance protection. My suspicion is regular insurance won't cover this. I don't know if it requires maritime insurance, but once you start dealing with rivers, bridges, railroads, and insurance coverage the law gets very specialized. This isn't something to guess at and hope for the best.

 

[dodge man]

I get the general idea of why they want this done. My opinion is they think the log jamb is causing flooding but I’m betting it’s not. I think no matter what you do some is going downstream.

 

[D&D]

I get the general idea of why they want this done. My opinion is they think the log jamb is causing flooding but I’m betting it’s not. I think no matter what you do some is going downstream.

Yep, I think it has more to do with someone’s view out of the window.

 

[Hay Dude]

I get the general idea of why they want this done. My opinion is they think the log jamb is causing flooding but I’m betting it’s not. I think no matter what you do some is going downstream.

It certainly is. Theres another 5 bridge pylons on lowland next to the river, not shown in the picture, with massive log jams as well. Looks terrible and holds back water flow.

We had a historic flood here in late 2021 (500 year flood, record water level) and the log jams are still there.

An engineering company determined the log jams are causing water back-up.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yep, I think it has more to do with someone’s view out of the window.

No.
The “window” you speak of is a window wall about 50’ high and 100’ wide. Its a window to a museum with extremely expensive artwork in it.

The last flood nearly destroyed the museum. Trust me when I say, this ain’t no house. This is a museum worth a lot of money that needs protection from future floods.

 

[Hay Dude]

If it were me not having a clue about what the actual liability risks are here, I wouldn't bid until I had consulted with an attorney who knows this area of the law and was certain that I had the appropriate insurance protection. My suspicion is regular insurance won't cover this. I don't know if it requires maritime insurance, but once you start dealing with rivers, bridges, railroads, and insurance coverage the law gets very specialized. This isn't something to guess at and hope for the best.

True, but any contractor has that problem. Someone’s got to do it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’m not sure I understand the concern about debris floating down stream. Weren’t they fliating downstream when they got lodged where they are now?

Yes, but not all at once in a 100 ton pile of waterlogged trees.

 

[fishheadbob]

You can't work from the RR bridge. You can't reach it from shore. There are real dangers, and there are real liability issues. This job is a loser. I wouldn't touch it

 

[2manyrocks]

Did the engineering company also make recommendations on how to clear the log jams or did their report stop at determining the log jams are causing the back-up?

Also wonder if the RR or whomever looked into getting this cleared up, but either can't find a contractor or the quote is so much they're hoping it will just wash away in a flood?

I'm quite serious in saying once you get into navigable waterways and railroads, the law is very specialized and not something the average attorney will know much about.