Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Flooded and Jammed!

Snow melt and copious amounts of rain together through the midwest has flooded Lake Big Dock!

Worse, there is a large plastic tote that has ended up crushed into my only 15" drain. It's all in 3.5' of bone chilling water!

At arms length, I can get a hold of the crumpled edges but I can't begin to pull it out by hand. Too much force behind it.

Dock has been under water for a day & a half causing one side to pull up. This sucks!

If anybody has any ideas, I would be grateful.

Dynamite?

Seriously though, I bought some fishing boots (pit-high) and a "shepherds hook" for pool rescue and that allows me to get at stuff in cold water well enough. I was able to plant lilies very early last spring with thin ice still on the water. Got cold arms but the rest of me was OK.

Also you could use a manual extended pruning saw on a pole to chop up the tote enough it will pass water or even slip through the pipe.

More ideas... Slip a larger pipe around your drain pipe down to the base to act as a dam to stop the water while you pull the plastic out?

Can you get a picker truck close enough to pull the tote out.
It would be a good time to have a valve on your drain pipe.

Thanks squid.

I do have some insulated waders but imagine bending over in waist deep 35 degree water. Your bare arm extended down to almost your armpit while jerking on the crumpled edges of the tote. Your other hand is grasping a rope tied to the 4 wheeler to give some stability.

It's a long way but I'm considering putting a slip knot around the crumpled tote, running it to the other side of the pond (at least 150'). Then seeing if I pull it out with the 4 wheeler.

I think I know where the remote control boat is!

Thanks Blair. It would be a good time for that wouldn't it.

battery powered sawsall?

Better be a waterproof one!

This is Blaine's picture....:

Thanks Sunil. I knew you would come to the rescue!

Blair, he has us mixed up.

Now who's the freak Sunil?

Not to state the obvious, but be really careful-if that tote were to be suddenly sucked through the pipe while you were sawing or poking it, the resultant vacuum could pull you down too....it'd be both tragic and embarressing to drown in 3.5 feet of water.

Be careful not to get sucked in when the blockage clears. A Long reach limb cutter may allow you to keep your distance and cut the plastic.

Thanks Yolk & Tums. That's good advice!

I feel your pain, Blaine. That dumping we got over the weekend put 5 inches of freezing cold water in the basement of my uncovered house that is under construction. I just hope I can keep it from freezing before we get it pumped completely dry again.
Be careful out there!

I was going to say the same thing yolk!
Chances are small but Even tied to a quad if that tote started down a fifteen inch pipe your next issue could be trying to cut parts of your quad out of the pipe. Could make a good video!

Oh NOOooo Double D! Yea the freezing part as it recedes adds a whole new dynamic into it, doesn't it.

I'll add my warning to the others about avoiding the suction once the pipe clears....terrifying. Unbelievable power there, I was lucky to get away.

You know it. I'm all for an inground pool, just not under the house!

A young boy died just this past summer on a newly built public lake because he fell too close to an outlet pipe. Tragic indeed.

I'd go with the idea of stretching a chain or rope across the pond to pull it loose with the 4-wheeler. It sounds, and will look, ridiculous, but I think that'd be your best bet.

can you get a grapple hook on it safely?I too have to second sprkplug's warning,I had a run in with a 3 inch pool drain that was sobering to say the least.

Might see if you can dig up a trash pump vs playing around down there.

What is a 'tote' anyways?

Is it one of those collapseable plastic water containers?

I'd just leave it alone for now.

http://www.watermasterpumps.com/

These are highly recommended for moving lots of water quick.
Rated at 40,000 gal/hr for about $2000 new.

I pictured it being something like this.



Only bashed up pretty good.

It's out!

Pulled it backwards after looping the winch cable over what was sticking out then jerking it with the 4 wheeler many times. Below is whats left. Force of the water crunched it like a tin can.

Strong work!



Tote=Plastic thing for carrying stuff.

Freak's Tote=plastic thing for carrying stuff that's STILL stuck in drainpipe.

Where are my fireworks when one needs them? Would have made quick work of that tote, and part of the dam, too.

Jeesh man, good job, but be careful!!!