Surface Spring Excavation - 01/18/15 04:54 PM
Pond Gurus,
Newbie to the forum here but look forward to picking your brains. I have purchased some property in NW Arkansas. It is about 9.5 acres in total and relatively flat. The issue I am currently trying to get some expertise on is a surface spring that is right in the middle of the property. The picture I have included shows the spring in the center of the property. Because it is pretty flat the water sprawls out from the center but eventually exits to the NE into the creek. Currently it spills about 60 gal a minute into the creek and has for over 7-8 years.
I would like to excavate below grade at the spring head to create a catch pond that still overlows into the creek. The main reason for this is to dry up the sprawling and tighten up the edge of the water. It is going to be used for agricultural purposes. if there is any "fall" from the spring head to the creek I would say it is less than a few feet. There is a moderate amount of grass and scrub growth within the wet areas(Aprox 1 acres worth) that you cant brush hog due to the mud.
My question to you fine folks is how would you tackle this project? My un-educated plan would be to clear the brush by what ever means necessary to see if I can locate the spring head, then flag out a border and start excavating. If I can dig out the current exit deep enough so that when I start pulling out material it can hopefully be a bit below grade. I have a few places that I can put the excess material but do not want to berm up the edges much.
What are the things that I should look out for when planning. I'm thinking size of excavator, mud and traction. I'm trying to go into it with the best plan possible and to avoid making any really expensive mistakes. I am planning this from a distance as I am currently stationed in San Diego and wont retire for 3 more years. We are planning another trip out there as a family May-July. I will try to post more pictures below some of the were too big to attach.
Newbie to the forum here but look forward to picking your brains. I have purchased some property in NW Arkansas. It is about 9.5 acres in total and relatively flat. The issue I am currently trying to get some expertise on is a surface spring that is right in the middle of the property. The picture I have included shows the spring in the center of the property. Because it is pretty flat the water sprawls out from the center but eventually exits to the NE into the creek. Currently it spills about 60 gal a minute into the creek and has for over 7-8 years.
I would like to excavate below grade at the spring head to create a catch pond that still overlows into the creek. The main reason for this is to dry up the sprawling and tighten up the edge of the water. It is going to be used for agricultural purposes. if there is any "fall" from the spring head to the creek I would say it is less than a few feet. There is a moderate amount of grass and scrub growth within the wet areas(Aprox 1 acres worth) that you cant brush hog due to the mud.
My question to you fine folks is how would you tackle this project? My un-educated plan would be to clear the brush by what ever means necessary to see if I can locate the spring head, then flag out a border and start excavating. If I can dig out the current exit deep enough so that when I start pulling out material it can hopefully be a bit below grade. I have a few places that I can put the excess material but do not want to berm up the edges much.
What are the things that I should look out for when planning. I'm thinking size of excavator, mud and traction. I'm trying to go into it with the best plan possible and to avoid making any really expensive mistakes. I am planning this from a distance as I am currently stationed in San Diego and wont retire for 3 more years. We are planning another trip out there as a family May-July. I will try to post more pictures below some of the were too big to attach.