Unfortunately, I didn't find this extremely informative site until a few weeks ago. I've been here reading constantly, and wanted to share what we've done. I had two 5' deep test pits dug last summer and discovered beautiful clay. We've dammed up a small intermittant stream running through a shallow ravine next (downstream) from the house. This stream is fed by approx. 25 acres of old pasture and 25 acres of swamp and old pasture. In the past, a 36" culvert was installed to allow access for the tractor. I haven't seen this addressed here, but the rep from the USDA came out to look things over and recommended we use a spillway cut 18" into the dam, 14' wide on the sides, tapering to 10'. 6" of gabian (sp?)was placed over heavy duty landscaping fabric, leaving a one foot depth for the water to flow over. He said he ran a computer program using the 36" culvert at full capacity and came up with those dimensions. What concerns me is I don't have an emergency spillway. He insists the spillway will handle it, if not, there is no harm with the water overflowing the top of the dam as long as I have grass growing up there. I'm sure I've missed some pertinent information, so feel free to ask. Oh....will be stocking with BG as soon as possible, then LMB next year. How soon can I stock the BG? Will be aerating with windmill and membrane diffuser. I still haven't decided which windmill to go with.
Thanks for a great site with tons of info!
