upgrading a swimming hole in a creek I need need info

[mark delaporte]

I own a piece of property that has a large creek passing through it
and it currently has a shallow swimming spot by the shore. The creek
is to wide to dam it all the way accross and I am wondering what the
best way to deepen it might be. If at all possible I would like to
avoid heavy duty earth moving equipment like an exgavator, and find a
less invasive solution. Does anyone have suggestions or recomended
sources for more info. Thanks

[Sam Hopkins]

I think an excavator is your only hope. A lot of places wont let you damn a
water source that passes through your property. Now had it started on your
property that would be another story. If the area isnt big you might throw a
"digging" party. 20 people with buckets going all day is a lot ot earth
moved.

"mark delaporte" > wrote in message
m...
> I own a piece of property that has a large creek passing through it
> and it currently has a shallow swimming spot by the shore. The creek
> is to wide to dam it all the way accross and I am wondering what the
> best way to deepen it might be. If at all possible I would like to
> avoid heavy duty earth moving equipment like an exgavator, and find a
> less invasive solution. Does anyone have suggestions or recomended
> sources for more info. Thanks

[K30a]

Call your county extension agent.
Even though the creek runs through your
property you need some kind of offical okay
to alter its course and flow.
(You could hire a couple beavers, will work for
all the trees on your property...)


k30a

[T. Barnes]

Sam Hopkins wrote:

> I think an excavator is your only hope. A lot of places wont let you damn a
> water source that passes through your property. Now had it started on your
> property that would be another story. If the area isnt big you might throw a
> "digging" party. 20 people with buckets going all day is a lot ot earth
> moved.
>

Sam, could you clarify the "had it started on your property" part. My new
neighbor owns the watershed coming into my pond and has been jumping thru the
proverbial hoops to obtain a permit to dam the stream above my pond with no
success. The stream is springfed, with the springs being on his property. I
would really appreciate any input.

To the original poster, Mark. Have you considered a piece of commercial pond
liner, layed across the stream and sandbagged from the back? This could be
lowered in times of high water fairly easy. I have friend who did the same for
his grandkids with success using a scrap piece of liner he purchased reasonably.

jtb

[Sam Hopkins]

Exactly what you stated, the springs start on his property he owns them and
can dam them. However, in PA there are other things that will stop you from
dam the springs. For instance if you want to impound water from 100 acres of
surface area you need a dam permit and thus all the hoops. That number may
be lower where you are. Where are you at?

"T. Barnes" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Sam Hopkins wrote:
>
> > I think an excavator is your only hope. A lot of places wont let you
damn a
> > water source that passes through your property. Now had it started on
your
> > property that would be another story. If the area isnt big you might
throw a
> > "digging" party. 20 people with buckets going all day is a lot ot earth
> > moved.
> >
>
> Sam, could you clarify the "had it started on your property" part. My new
> neighbor owns the watershed coming into my pond and has been jumping thru
the
> proverbial hoops to obtain a permit to dam the stream above my pond with
no
> success. The stream is springfed, with the springs being on his property.
I
> would really appreciate any input.
>
> To the original poster, Mark. Have you considered a piece of commercial
pond
> liner, layed across the stream and sandbagged from the back? This could be
> lowered in times of high water fairly easy. I have friend who did the same
for
> his grandkids with success using a scrap piece of liner he purchased
reasonably.
>
> jtb
>
>

[T. Barnes]

Sam Hopkins wrote:

> Exactly what you stated, the springs start on his property he owns them and
> can dam them. However, in PA there are other things that will stop you from
> dam the springs. For instance if you want to impound water from 100 acres of
> surface area you need a dam permit and thus all the hoops. That number may
> be lower where you are. Where are you at?
>

We are in upstate South Carolina in the hills near the NC line. His planned pond
is small, 4-5 acres max. with an improved wetlands area below it for waterfowl.
The wetlands area would be dike controlled for water elevation, 3' approx. in
the Fall. The total watershed into my pond is 140 acres, his land includes 52 of
those acres and all three of the springs that feed our creek.

'For instance if you want to impound water from 100 acres of
surface area you need a dam permit and thus all the hoops. '
I think you just answered my question, much obliged.
jtb