Hi, My wife and I just purchased 5 acres of land it has pond dam on it. Currently the pond is silted in to the point that needs to be cleaned out. My question is that on one side of the pond is a small creek (doesn't feed the pond) that has been damed by beavers (not active). The water backs up and around the back side of my dam. I can not remove beaver dam because it is not on my property. What kind of issues can I expect with having body of water on back side of dam. Should I not spend the money to renovate my pond due to potential failure of dam due to beaver pond.
About 1 ft deep at back dam, during this drought not sure of depth during normal rain fall. I think it could be up to 3ft deep when beaver pond is full. My dam was built in the mid 90's, unsure how long beaver dam has been there. I can get behind dam but it is a swamp because of beaver dam which is about 75 yards behind dam. Dam is 13 ft on back side.
Gotcha. I was thinking since you're de-silting anyway, some of that soil might be used to build up that area and move the water away from the base of the dam.
Since you're in TX, you might want to give Mike Otto a call.
If your neighbor is backing water onto your property you can make them cut the beaver dam at their expense and repay any damages you may have acquired.
There is small creek that is my property line on south side that is what the beavers dammed up.
I think that the beavers have been gone for a long time. Their dam is overgrown with grass, even has 2-3 inch dia trees growing around it.
Worst part is the "neighbor" is a property owners association, the property was set aside by developer for a pond that was never built. Most of the neighboring property is very swampy/ densely wooded. I don't think machinery could get in there very easily.
My best guess is that my pond dam was built with two purposes hold water and as a levee to prevent flooding of creek onto to my land.
I uploaded pic of the pond area
Black is the pond dam Green is the current pond size Lite Blue is proposed size of pond ~1AC Dark Blue is Approx beaver pond
I would think the basis for an answer would depend on how well the dam was built. Who can really tell. Might just clean up what you got and take a chance.
I've torn out a couple of beaver dams. They weren't that much trouble. If you can tear out a little of the top, it ought to drain without flooding.
How do you feel about approaching the HOA and telling them that their old beaver dam might be threatening the integrity of your dam? If it goes, their property might get flooded.
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 Grandpa
Who would know if a "natural" break in the beaver dam were to occur?
Back in the old days, we'd use dynamite. Hardly an option nowadays.
I agree with Dave...it shouldn't take too much to pull out enough of the beaver dam to lower the water to the point that the beavers relocate. May take repeated visits to the dam however.
Im pretty sure its against the law to back water up on adjacent property owners. You should be able to talk to him and get the issue taken care. If he doesn't I think you could go further with legal action if it goes that far.
It's against the law to dam up water onto neighbors without permission, but a PERSON isn't doing it, NATURE is. Don't forget, in some areas, nature trumps any rational thinking. If the rascal comes onto your property, it could not go well for it. Dave's mentioned approach to the HOA is the best IMO.
I still don't see how water on both sides of a dam is bad. What am I missing?
I was only worried about not being able to remove water from my pond during intense rain event.
My pond currently has 12" hpde for main overflow, I plan on doing a flash board riser system to have more control over water level.
On the discharge the pipe is in line with natural low area that runs to creek that is dammed by beavers. Not sure what would happen if water covers discharge.
It would slow down the water flow. How much higher is the water level in your pond compared to that at the discharge?
Your spillway design might be more valuable in this scenario because water levels might back up and be used more often.... You could also install a second independent discharge pipe that is at a higher level (at the discharge side).
