Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Building a dam Can I riprap the backside of my dam in an effort t

I currently have a steep backside on my dam with grass growing that is diffucult to mow. My question is.... Will riprap work on the backside for erosion control as well as the grass I now have growing? My gut says a slow erosion would probaly take place if riprap was the controller. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Personally, I'd forget about the riprap and just use a native grass, manually removing (either pulling or via. chemical traetment) any trees that try to pop up. RipRap will put an end to your mowing, even in you wanted to. Native grass doesn't need mowing. It needs a periodic burn, but I wonder if you could get away with mowing it once every 2 years instead of burning.

Now, I'd think differently if you were to use a layer of RipRap over a layer of Geotextile fabric and not have any grass.

What is the angle from horizontal? How large is the backside?

Sniper/esshup, That was a knucklehead post on my part,I should have been more detailed on my thoughts for installation to this point along with some dam specs. My angle is right at a 23 degree slope with a run of 28'(top to bottom of proposed riprap). I'm thinking an 8 or 10 oz. geo fabric, not sure if I want woven or nonwoven. I'll dig a 5" deep trench at the top of the dam to insert the fabric, then backfill. I'd like to run the fabric (stapled) horizontal with a foot overlap in an effort to prevent water channles that I think may happen if I run the fabric vertical (top to bottom) and get some seepage at the overlaid joints. I realize by running the fabric horizontal I'm at risk of getting an accordian effect as the weight may tend to want to slide the fabric. I thought I'd try and prevent that by heavily stapling my fabric. I can get my scag 48" ZTR down it... Just looking to cut some mow time and be a little safer. I have also been thinking about using a PGR (plant growth regulator) before riprap and see how well it will regulate the growth. Mowing it twice or three times a year isn't nearly as bad as all season.The native grass and burn down also sounds like a good idea as well. I have let my fescue grow several inches tall a couple seasons and have noticed several good sized field mice houses when I do a cut in early spring, and dead or very matted grass with water channels already happening. I'd have never thought the mice could effect the dam.I appreciate you guys taking the time"RAPPING" with me. There is my first bad joke as a newbie!! Thanks again guys.

Sniper/esshup, That was a knucklehead post on my part,I should have been more detailed on my thoughts for installation to this point along with some dam specs. My angle is right at a 23 degree slope with a run of 28'(top to bottom of proposed riprap). I'm thinking an 8 or 10 oz. geo fabric, not sure if I want woven or nonwoven. I'll dig a 5" deep trench at the top of the dam to insert the fabric, then backfill. I'd like to run the fabric (stapled) horizontal with a foot overlap in an effort to prevent water channles that I think may happen if I run the fabric vertical (top to bottom) and get some seepage at the overlaid joints. I realize by running the fabric horizontal I'm at risk of getting an accordian effect as the weight may tend to want to slide the fabric. I thought I'd try and prevent that by heavily stapling my fabric. I can get my scag 48" ZTR down it... Just looking to cut some mow time and be a little safer. I have also been thinking about using a PGR (plant growth regulator) before riprap and see how well it will regulate the growth. Mowing it twice or three times a year isn't nearly as bad as all season.The native grass and burn down also sounds like a good idea as well. I have let my fescue grow several inches tall a couple seasons and have noticed several good sized field mice houses when I do a cut in early spring, and dead or very matted grass with water channels already happening. I'd have never thought the mice could effect the dam.I appreciate you guys taking the time"RAPPING" with me. There is my first bad joke as a newbie!! Thanks again guys.

Actually, you seem right on top of the issue. The "backsides of dams" are problems for all of us.

Keeping brushy, woody stuff off is important.

Best of luck to you!