Need with help with eroding stream in field

[mooch]

I have a problem with a small stream eroding away and need some advice on how to best stabilize it. I have 2 small pastures separated by a fence. The upper field has about an 18" pipe feeding into what used to be a small pond (maybe 15ft across). The water exited this pond through a 12" plastic pipe, underneath my fence and then dumped into what used to be a larger pond. The land bridge in between the two was only about 10ft max. The lower pond I drained years ago. The land bridge has eroded and I don't know the best way to stabilize it. I don't need a pond in the upper section but would like the stream to continue so the animals could have water in that field. I am going to try to add photos to show what is going on. If I could end up with a stream all the way through that would be fine. I seem to be having trouble with the pics....no matter how small I make them it says they are too big

 

[jyoutz]

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has specialists on staff to help people like you to deal with these issues, and there is no charge for these services. Go see them at your local office.

 

[bcp]

I think the standard rural erosion control method is to dump several old car bodies.

I wouldn't eliminate any ponds at all, and would restore the other one. With the modern requirements concerning waterways, etc., you may not be allowed to make a pond there in the future, in case you ever want it back.

Bruce

 

[RjCorazza]

I am not familiar with your particular area, however, I would urge caution in contacting any agency for advice regarding your stream.
I put some large rap on some bends in my stream several years ago to prevent bank erosion, which has worked well for my needs.

 

[2manyrocks]

I couldn't get pictures to post a couple of days ago until I shrunk one so small that it was distorted.

If this a stream, that can trigger a bunch of issues in some places these days.

 

[Rockbadchild]

so land bridge passe on top of the 12” pipe ? and the erosion is happening around the pipe ?

 

[LouNY]

Is the bank being eroded by water flow or animal foot traffic.
When animals water freely out of a small stream it often depending upon the ground conditions ends up being a wide swampy mess as hoofs churn the banks and edges down into the water.

 

[mooch]

Ok, finally figured out how to upload pics.

 

[Rockbadchild]

remove the culvert, dig both side in a v put the some gravel as a base put back the culvert and backfill with gravel and compact.

 

[Rockbadchild]

but really i think the culvert is too small if you could put a bigger ones or a other one it would help

 

[LouNY]

It looks like the water followed the outside of the pipe.
Also with the inlet being above the natural grade you will get a lot of ponding before the water can start flowing in the pipe,
which does seem to be a bit on the small side.

You mention watering animals, are trying to water on both sides of that fence?
If so I'd say get a shallow water trough and put it in were the first pipe can dump into it,
then pipe the over flow under the fence into another trough for them to drink from.

If they can walk in that ground it will be all punched up and you will have little control of what the water does.

 

[jyoutz]

I am not familiar with your particular area, however, I would urge caution in contacting any agency for advice regarding your stream.
I put some large rap on some bends in my stream several years ago to prevent bank erosion, which has worked well for my needs.

Nonsense. That is what NRCS does, and they do it better than anyone else. They are a service agency, not a regulatory agency.

 

[BnRidge]

I would urge caution in contacting any agency for advice regarding your stream

Depending on the level of bureaucracy you decide to go with - you pays yoyr money and you takes your choice. Wetlands and stream banks have a special place in their heart.

 

[jyoutz]

Depending on the level of bureaucracy you decide to go with - you pays yoyr money and you takes your choice. Wetlands and stream banks have a special place in their heart.

There is no bureaucracy with NRCS. They are a service arm of USDA, not regulatory. They assess the situation, ask about your management objectives, and make recommendations. Nobody is required to follow those recommendations. They are not EPA that does enforce regulations.

 

[BnRidge]

There is no bureaucracy with NRCS. They are a service arm of USDA, not regulatory. They assess the situation, ask about your management objectives, and make recommendations. Nobody is required to follow those recommendations. They are not EPA that does enforce regulations.

"If Swampbuster is violated, USDA farm program benefits may be lost."
"NRCS will determine if a producer’s land contains wetlands that are subject to the provisions. NRCS employees have been trained to identify, deliniate and certify wetlands. These “certified” determinations stay in effect as long as the land is used for agricultural purposes or until the producer requests a review. If you disagree with NRCS’ determination, you will be provided the opportunity to appeal the determination before it becomes final."

Just sayin. Keep it to yourself and these non bureaucratic types won't have their fingers in on it.

 

[jyoutz]

"If Swampbuster is violated, USDA farm program benefits may be lost."
"NRCS will determine if a producer’s land contains wetlands that are subject to the provisions. NRCS employees have been trained to identify, deliniate and certify wetlands. These “certified” determinations stay in effect as long as the land is used for agricultural purposes or until the producer requests a review. If you disagree with NRCS’ determination, you will be provided the opportunity to appeal the determination before it becomes final."

Just sayin. Keep it to yourself and these non bureaucratic types won't have their fingers in on it.

Wetlands are already mapped and known. Nobody is surprised to go to an area and find wetlands.

 

[LouNY]

And as soon as beavers damn a flowing stream and make pond and swamp just make protected wetlands.

 

[jyoutz]

And as soon as beavers damn a flowing stream and make pond and swamp just make protected wetlands.

The stream was already there and mapped.

 

[wisconsitom]

Generally, if you can flatten the side slopes of the channel, in effect make more like natural streams, where there's usually an area where water can temporarily spread out in heavy flows, plus add in native emergent-zone plants, bulrushes, bur reed, arrowhead, etc, you'll begin to get a handle on that erosion.

Bits of hard armoring can be placed at bends where washing is occurring, riprap type stuff. But be aware, when one spot gets armored, the force of the water is now directed at the point where this armoring ends.

 

[mooch]

thanks for the replies. I do have animals on both sides. I will definitely put a larger pipe in with gravel at base and compact to rebuild land bridge. I like the idea of a drinking trough at the mouth of the other pipe. It would be nice if I can run the outlet of the trough into the culvert to contain the water. Are there any commercials troughs with outlets for a pipe? Maybe I can form one out of concrete?