runoff ditch ..what to do?

Moon · May 9, 2005

I have an area I've slowly been clearing. It has been overgrown for years, and has a 3ft ditch to show for it. Water run off has created this ditch, and I'd like to make the area easier to bush hog.
The ditch is to wide to drive across or stradle. If I fill it in, the water has to go somewhere, so I have to make allowances for that. So, without a BH what would be the best way to tackle a ditch like this? It is on a 10 - 12 degree slope and about 30 ft long.
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

bczoom · May 9, 2005

Moon,

Like you said, the water will keep coming. How much volume?

Can you post a pic so we have a better idea?

Sight unseen, I would probably suggest putting in a 12" or larger culvert and covering with dirt.

Brian

EddieWalker · May 9, 2005

A couple things might help.

Widen the ditch so the water isn't cutting when the volume is high, but flows over a wide area.

Putting some low barriers in it to slow the water down and trap sediment, which in time will fill up the ditch. Rock wraped in chicken wire works good for this.

Redirecting the source of the water. Is the ditch beginning at a hill or high runoff location? Cut another shallow ditch, or build up a diversion hill to redirect the water to an area that can handle the water flow.

Get some grass down to stop the erosion.

riptides · May 9, 2005

Put some gravel in it, some drain tile, then more gravel.
Cover with some topsoil and let Mother Nature do the rest.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

LarryD · May 9, 2005

The real question is where is the water coming from and is it still flowing with enough force to continue the erosion. Is it possible the erosion occured when the slope was bare and now that there is vegetation on the slope, is the flow reduced.

You're probably going to have to go out during a good "toad choker" to see exactly where the problem (if it still exits) originates. Once you know what the problem is, there numerous ways to control it.

bczoom · May 9, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Put some gravel in it, some drain tile, then more gravel.)</font>

I like drain tile but I found out the hard way that the 4" perforated clogs with leaves or other debris pretty quickly which is why I recommended the 12" or bigger.

Moon · May 9, 2005

Opps ....i intended to mention that the volume of water is low. I've never seen water running through it, or standing in it, other than mud at the bottom ...but I have not looked at it durning a heavy rainstorm.
I planned to put gravel in it, but it would take quite a few tons. So then I thought I'd push and box blade some earth back in the ditch, burying some drain pipe, but there is no obvious collection point where I know the pipe will get all the water (I put in a drain pipe at another location and the water misses the mouth of the pipe ...so I want to avoid doing that again).
The water is coming from two seperate hillsides. It has been a natural run off spot for quite awhile. It leads down to our pond.

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

normde2001 · May 9, 2005

As mentioned before a couple of 20' lengths 12 or 15" poli, doublewalled culvert should work. About $100 for 12", $125 for 15". One man can handle it, can cut in half with circular saw for easy hauling, and snap and or duct tape back together. Cover it and drive a truck over it. Similar situation here.

redlevel · May 9, 2005

What are your plans for this particular area. Are you clearing it to use it for pasture, crops, etc.? Is the ditch continuing to erode, or is it fairly stable. It might be that you just need to leave it as is, and just make sure it stays "haired over." If the sides of the ditch are steep, you could just push a little dirt down from each side to make sort of a waterway (as opposed to a ditch). If something like this has native grass and other vegetation growing in and around it, it is usually fairly stable; that is, it is not continuing to erode. These are wonderful places for all types of small game and song birds.

I'm not ragging on you, you know what your situation is, but loss of this type of habitat is the very reason we have all but lost huntable populations of Bobwhite Quail, rabbits, and other small game here in GA.

When I get on a tractor with a Bushhog or a plow behind it, I sometimes just have to make myself stay out of areas like this. I guess the human eye just wants it to be clean!

Moon · May 9, 2005

No special or planned use for the area. It's just a hillside that I bush hog which is between the pond and State Route (busy road). It had been overgrown until last year. I about tipped the tractor in it when I first found it. I don't want a tractor accident ....otherwise I'd just like to be able to traverse the area. I have other areas we do let grow up just for wildlife. The errosion from last year to this year appears to be negligible. I'd guess the damage was done over a very long period of time.

Moon of Ohio