Discovering sand, sand, and more sand.

[jinman]

When I bought my property, there was a creek which formed one property line, but it was almost indistinguishable from the surrounding "jungle" because it was grown over and had silted in so badly. Over the next few years, the silting continued to the point that the water would rush over a flat area of my property as it headed toward my lake. The end result was that I was left with a very boggy swamp and erosion in places that rendered about 1/2 acre of property unusable. A few weeks ago I started clearing the brush and debris off the top of the the old creek, and this weekend I started my excavation only to discover an almost endless supply of clean beach-style sand. The attached photo and subsequent posts show some of my fun weekend project. The first photo is actually at the end of the day today and shows the pile of sand compared to my tractor. I'd estimate that I have at least 100 sq yards in this pile.

 

[jinman]

Here is a picture of my tractor down in the "creek" (more like a deep irrigation ditch). The walls are between 3-1/2' and 4' high. The total length of my excavation was about 200' and only about half of that is visible. I think the sand is probably about 8' deep and 25' wide. I'll have all the sand I need for many, many years. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

This is the ramp up out of the creek. Figuring the best way to get into and out of the creek was a real challenge. This ramp worked well.

 

[jinman]

In this picture you can see the creek on the far left side. The green area between the creek and my tractor on the right side was one of the places were standing water would make it impossible to drive over. It would become a real swamp every spring.

 

[jinman]

In this final picture you can see where this little creek spills out into the lake in the background. There is a huge sandbar in the foreground and I still have some more digging to do here if the weather stays dry enough for another week. As long as we don't get a "frog drowning gully washer" I will probably finish the job next weekend. Anybody need any sand? I'm your man! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Junkman]

You might want to create a low spot just before the lake, so any sand that washes down the new "stream" will drop its sediment before entering the lake. In Ct it would take you years of permit form filling before they would even allow you to take the first shovel full and even then it is doubtful that they would allow it. I saw a piece on PBS were a house had basically become an island because of the beaver dams and the State of MA wouldn't allow them to be broken up or the beavers relocated. The believe in protecting the animals no matter what the nuisance they create.....

 

[BWa]

LOL ....Yup you got to love it when the "Animal Rights " groups thinking turns full circle and they have to live with the results , ...They pushed for the "No Trapping Laws " and now that bird has come home to roost ..... between the save the beaver crowds and the Yuppies now screaming about all the skunks they are now hittting on the roads (they hate to deal with the smell of reality ) and soon the deer rut , MA is a great place to live ,,,,LOVE IT !!! LOL! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill G.

 

[pajoube]

And to think I have to buy my sand.
PJ

 

[Slamfire]

You wouldn't even have to ask for a permit in WA state. Even if your change would benifit the salmon. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[jinman]

I need to say this quietly so the 'crazies' won't hear and come running to Texas, but the agricultural service here has people who will come onto your property and eradicate all the beavers they can find. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif They have a permission slip that you sign, and it has squares you check for the approved methods of eradication. They include trapping, shooting, gassing, fire, and even explosives to blow the little critters up. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif They came here about 3 years ago and cleaned up our lake of all the beavers except one. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Our trees along the waterfront are a lot happier and I hope the old beaver dies of old age before finding a mate. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif My neighbor has trees over 50' from the water that have been ringed and killed. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I really don't miss the beavers here, but I also don't think they are on any endangered list in Texas. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif