Fencing in A Creek Bottom

[Nromes]

We have a field next to our creek where the ground usually stays moist. I understand posts will not pack in tightly. What would be the best way to fence in the field, considering the most should? Wooden posts or metal t-posts? Or is there another way?

 

[bcp]

What animals, etc. are you fencing in or out? Or is the fence just a boundary marker?

Bruce

 

[Tinhack]

You should check with your state. Navigable waterways are the property of the state so says the Feds. And it doesn't need to be navigable all year. Most are open to the public and against the law to restrict access.

In Texas a stream is public if it is "navigable in fact," "or navigable by statute." There is no precise test for whether a stream is navigable in fact. The term is based on the idea of public utility. One court has observed that "waters, which in their natural state are useful to the public for a considerable portion of the year are navigable."

 

[RjCorazza]

I would think metal T posts would be the better option. I have several wood split rail posts that cross a wet drainage area, and they rot out in a few years.

 

[2manyrocks]

Could be enough rock in a creek bottom to make it tough to use a post hole digger. I would also lean toward T posts.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

What animals, etc. are you fencing in or out? Or is the fence just a boundary marker?

Bruce

agree 100%.... what I would do to keep in a randy bull would be much different than what I would do for property marking, etc...

 

[Dftodd]

Dry pack the holes with cement would be my thoughts.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

We fence creek bottoms with t posts and have cattle in there no problem. Continue on as normal. We run over 3,000 head. No fence problems from a creek bottom.

 

[ponytug]

I think it depends on flow, and the animals.

In North Carolina, I believe that you need to be able to get a boat up the stream, though it seems silent on whether floods count;

River Rights, North Carolina-Style | MidCurrent

midcurrent.com

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“f a body of water in its natural condition can be navigated by watercraft, it is navigable in fact and, therefore, navigable in law, even if it has not been used for such purposes.”​

When I have fenced creek bottoms, we didn't put any posts in or near the water, and used slats and wire to make a "hinged" section that would lift up and flatten downstream. That avoids many, but not all snags. YMMV!

All the best,

Peter

 

[two_bit_score]

Might consider galvanized in a creek bottom.

Painted and Galvanized T-Post-San Antonio Steel Company

San Antonio Steel Company carries a variety of different American-made, green and galvanized studded T-posts from CMC Southern Post and W. Silver.

sasteelco.com

 

[oosik]

I used metal T-posts to fence my 80 acres. 655+ - 145 gauge T-posts. I did this in 1982 and all were installed with a very heavy, manual post driver. The posts and fencing still stand - straight, tight and true.

I do have a wet area. About 120 feet with eight or so T-posts. Because the posts are exposed to seasonal wet/dry conditions - they "corrode off" - at the ground level - every ten years or so.

I go into this area - pound in new posts and tie off the barbed wire fencing to the new posts.

I would definitely recommend metal T-posts. Easy to drive - hold fencing well - simple to replace on a routine maintenance schedule.