Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Proper angle on backside of dam?

Hey folks,

I have a golden window of opportunity (and a little extra cash) to put a proper slope on the back side of my dam. It is currently WAY too steep to run a tractor and brush hog on it. The drought has dried up the swamp below my dam and I can get heavy equipment in there for repairs.

What is the slope needed to safely run tractor and brush hog (sideways) across the dam? 4:1?

Advice from been-there/done-that is welcome.

Gator

Gator,

Going sideways on slopes on small tractors with a bush hog spinning a blade makes me nervous. You can hit something unexpected with that mower and can quickly get in trouble. Been there and done that. Just a personal thought, but I like to error on the side of safety.

Yes, 4 to 1 should be okay, but 3 to 1 is also supposed to be okay. I do my mowing "down and up" on the slopes...and mostly "down" on the worst slopes. It takes longer, yes, but its far less stressful for a chicken like me.

One other thought Gator. Make sure the material that comes out of the swamps isn't just sand or decayed matter which will erode away...might defeat your purpose or cause a problem when trying to solve a different problem. The material should have some clay in it to reduce erosion.

The Ohio DOT has thoughtfully placed a 3:1 slope along the road in front of my place (it gets steeper every time they repave). It must be bushhogged across the slope (I don't like turning around in the fence at the bottom or the traffic at the top). I can bushhog it when it is dry; when it is wet and slippery I'm too chicken.

Backside of my dam is more like 4:1 and is MUCH nicer to do (also mowed across the slope). I don't do it when the grass is wet, but as soon as the grass dries it's OK since it has better sod (and no out-of-bounds road traffic) and never gets muddy.

I should point out (wrt ML's warning) that I inspect along the road (and pick up bottles, etc.) just before I mow it. I never let the grass on the backside of the dam get tall enough to have any surprises.

Alligator,
4:1 is a good choice.
3:1 is pretty steep.

Iowa DOT puts 4:1 slope in their ditches just so they can be mowed with single tire, 2WD tractors. That's what's on my first dam, and it's sweet. Newer dam is about 3:1, and it's a bear to be on with the tractor. Even the ATV makes me a bit leary.

Thnaks guys,

No if the dry weather will hold on just a little longer...

Just kidding - I will take rain anytime. But assumimg it does stay dry, I am going for it! I have ~3:1 slope now and it seems too steep to safely mow.

Gator