If you dam the water you will raise the head. You risk losing the water
source. The increased water pressure could force the water to find another
path of least resistance.

I would be inclined to maintain the existing water level. Carefully dig
down such that you don't inhibit the water flow. Develop the pool by
digging rather than damming.

DelawareDave wrote in article
...
Thanks for reply. I'm in Northeast USA, specifically a state called
Delaware (very small ). I appreciate your comments about disturbing
existing water flows. The flow is really not a creek in any way - it is
a
tiny but steady surface flow literally about 2 inches wide (max) - then
20
feet down the gully there's no surface water to speak of - it is all
dissipated into the ground.

Back to the original post - is there a way I can "dam and liner" this
gully
some way into holding a pool of water 3-4 feet above the bottom of the
gully
(and 3-4 feet above the water surfacing) ?

Thanks !

"A.N.Other" wrote in message
...
"DelawareDave" wrote in message
...
First, I'm new to this group. If this post is better placed
somewhere
else,
please let me know.

I have a "V" shaped gully in my slightly sloped wooded backyard with
an
apparent VERY SMALL spring of constant water running through the
bottom
of
it.

I'd like to "dam-up" this gully and make a pond - ideally with water
feed
from this apparent spring. Here's my questions:

1. What do I do about a liner ? Should I put one big liner in the
hole
?
Should the liner cover the water source ? Should I cut a hole in
the
liner
over the small water source ? Should I try to lay several pieces in
the
hole to reduce percolation to increase water level ?

2. What water level overall can I expect ? The "V" gully is about
3
vertical feet deep and has a very small water flow. Is the current
vertical level of the flow the highest I can ever expect ? If I
line
portions of this gully - can I realistically expect the hole to fill
(and
sustain filled) a level 3 feet higher than the current level ?

There's something here to do with the hydrostatic level of the source
-
which I don't know and am interested in suggestions on how to test.

Thanks !!!!


First off, where are you located.

Second, in a lot of places interfering with a water course is illegal.
If
its not illegal, you may be liable to a civil suit from anybody
downstream
of you. They may be able to sue you for interfering with thier
"riparian
rights"
see: http://www.webref.org/sociology/d/do...ian_rights.htm
or if you want a UK citation:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/dg.small/W...ian_rights.htm

However, you might be OK, provided you maintain the original flow and
quality of water to those downstream of your dam.

Personally i would lave the stream alone.
ANO