Culvert maintenance?

[ponytug]

I use a pressure washer and one of the sewer jet, like this one;

Amazon.com

But mostly I try to settle / screen debris out first.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Grass, grass, everywhere this year.

Anyway, this is the exit of the steeply sloped culvert, about 1/4 mile upstream of the problematic one and where the ditch is indeed wide.

If only I could have all of them flow like this.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Those type of soils very well might be erosion prone. I think you mentioned a fair bit of rock in your area; you can dry stack maybe 6-8" of rock across your ditches, think mini, loose rock 'dams' or ditch blocks, that will slow the velocity a bit, but also catch heavy sediment, for future clean up, at an easier place than in the pipe.

Yeah, our soil is erosion prone. The larger culverts allow the road to cross a big wash that runs through the property. The wash is about 20ft wide and 6ft deep. Most of the rock on our place seems to be mostly one big slab of rock rather than loose rocks that would be useful for the project you mention.

Anyway, before I can even consider such an undertaking I need a tractor!

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I use a pressure washer and one of the sewer jet, like this one;

Amazon.com

But mostly I try to settle / screen debris out first.

All the best,

Peter

I have a similar setup that I use to unclog our downspouts. Figured it might come in handy for clearing the smaller culverts so I spend the $$ to get a pressure washer that works with a static water source.

 

[paulsharvey]

Once you get your machine, ditch blocks in a desert environment also serve the additional purpose of keeping the water longer, which allows more veg to grow around your ditches, which in turn helps reduce erosion. BTW, there are many many ways to create a ditch block; from some CMU concrete blocks, PT2x12s, rail road ties, rocks, clay berm, concrete, to concrete lined ditches with disappator blocks.

 

[newbury]

I am a pessimist and a believer in Murphy's law. I would be afraid to try to pull something through a culvert that would completely clean it in one pass.

I agree, I'd put a chain on the other side, long enough and strong enough to pull it back out.

 

[CADplans]

Rather than chain,, I would put a synthetic rope through
!) cheaper
2) less chance of being stolen
3) will not rust away
4) it is strong enough to pull a chain through should the need arise.

Why put a $150 chain through,, to attract the guy that needs it for his truck??

I just bought 200 feet of the synthetic rope used to pull power lines.
I paid $40 for 200 feet

I could not stand the thought of that chain rusting away,,

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Rather than chain,, I would put a synthetic rope through
!) cheaper
2) less chance of being stolen
3) will not rust away
4) it is strong enough to pull a chain through should the need arise.

Why put a $150 chain through,, to attract the guy that needs it for his truck??

I just bought 200 feet of the synthetic rope used to pull power lines.
I paid $40 for 200 feet

I could not stand the thought of that chain rusting away,,

How does that synthetic line hold up to the UV light? UV light can be pretty brutal here in Colorado. Yeah I know most of the line would be in the shade of the culvert, but the ends would be in the sun unless you put them in PVC pipe or something. I don't need to worry about theft or rust... at least I don't think a galvanized chain would rust since my culverts are dry most of the time. I guess in winter they might be wet from the snow.

Synth line would be cheaper to try out at any rate and cheaper is good!