As the possible date for ground breaking nears, I have found my stress level pegging 11. I feel like I am at a serious cross roads and the wrong decision could be very bad.
The county I live in is famous for clay. Clay, clay, clay! My well log shows clay from 1.5' down to 120'(well head is about 150' from pond site). I suppose I just assumed perfectly good soil conditions.
While exploring some soil maps, I discovered that my place is "birch bay silt". So I did what any self respecting adult with OCD would do, I grabbed my shovel and proceeded to try and dig to china for a soil sample. I dug at a point that is closest to the creek (150') and the site of the dam foundation. I dug down about 3' and hit what looked like "blue clay". It was blue, would compact into a nice ball, but had a very gritty feeling to it. Not the smooth, slippery, texture I expected.
I then screened it through a 1/4" mesh, per pub 590, and did the mason jar test. The "sand" settled out immediately to about 35% of the column. Then a silky brown layer of what I am assuming is "silt" formed the next 60%. The water was then left with a light cream color to it, with a light cream scum forming on the top layer. Is this my clay content?
I realize that I am only 3' down, but it makes a guy wonder. So now I am going to move up the test pit date before I do anything else.
ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Joe
