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Joined: Jun 2013
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OP
Joined: Jun 2013
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A small lake in our community that consists of a box dam and two spillways has breached due to a heavy and fast rainstorm. Luckily, the dam structure itself is fine and the only thing that breached is the dirt spillway. It's a pretty simple spillway that is really just dirt capped with asphalt and was originally constructed back in the 50's.
Although we do have larger overall plans to rehab and perform maintenance on the dam system, we would like to bring it back to where it was in the meantime. What would be the best type of dirt / gravel to put back in there as a base?
Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,508 Likes: 829
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,508 Likes: 829 |
Clay, properly compacted, and build it with a core trench. Get it covered with something to keep the water from eroding it away again. Here's some reading for ya. http://www.sccdistrict.com/pond.htm Make double darn sure that it is large enough to handle the water. Consult the NRCS office in your county for more specific information.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 06/15/13 04:47 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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OP
Joined: Jun 2013
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Thanks for the link and suggestions, exactly what I was looking for. Some people are suggesting Class 5 Gravel which I believe has a mixture of clay in it. Would this also suffice?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,508 Likes: 829
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,508 Likes: 829 |
I've never heard of gravel and clay being used together to compact for a dam.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,311 Likes: 300
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,311 Likes: 300 |
I agree with esshup, I would have never thought gravel would properly adhere to clay. Looking at Goggle images, Class 5 gravel almost looks like a paving/foundation mix.
AL
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Don't mess with the gravel. Use a mix of loam with about 65% clay/soil. Pure clay cracks when dry.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Jun 2013
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OP
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Sorry for the late reply and thanks again for the advice. What material would be best to use to cap the clay? It was blacktop before but like I said earlier, that was done many years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Good pond builders mix the clay with dirt to create a loam mixture. Hard to believe that a dozer can do that but a good operator can.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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