blocked ditch causing flooding?

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blocked ditch causing flooding?

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hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 7:33 am Post subject: blocked ditch causing flooding?

Yesterday I had a really good look at the fields we've got. Over the past 10 years in autumn they have got very wet -some areas with lots of surface water. I always put this down to a crack in the bed of the river the fields are next to. But I think I've found the cause, there is one main field which is split in half with a hedge which had a gap/gate in the middle. This hedge runs at right angles from the river.
Where the gap is, is under water- about a ft. On closer inspection it looks like the hegde actually runs along side a small ditch and the gap in the hedge/ditch has just been filled in to let its previous occupants (cows)into the next field.
Does anyone have any experience in digging out ditches? I have though about hiring a bobcat
Any tips? Also should I get one of those concrete tube things to let the water run through so I can still use the opening?

I'll try and find a picture.
I may not be able to reply till this afternoon so will not be ignoring you!

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 7:41 am Post subject:
The gap in the hedge is to the right of the electricity pole! I've had a mental block - is that what it is?! The river is to the left of the picture and the 'ditch' would run from that to the right into a small stream. Any one want to help?!

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 7:42 am Post subject:
doh didn't add attatchment!

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 11:40 am Post subject:

Have you looked at the fudning options under the new SFP scheme? You may be able to get some help towards the cost of clearing the dyke, restoring the hedge & fencing it off to prevent more trampling by stock.

A small digger of about 3 tonne will be about the best compromise for the job- smaller & it might struggle (and take longer, bumping up the hire costs); larger & it may not be as versatile for the size of ditch (and cost more per day/week in hire).

There will probably be a pipe under the bridge where the gap is but if it's broken up it'll be best to put a new one in.

Remember to get the fall right when dyking- as water will not run uphill, but too much fall & you'll end up lower than your outlet. Make a smooth job & it'll help a lot with its drainage efficiency.

dougal

Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 2:13 pm Post subject:

As I read it, you have a "small" ditch which has had an earth dam built across the end of it, and the top of the dam is level with the surrounding ground.

And that your intention is to allow the existing ditch to drain, through that dam, into the river, and stop the land actually flooding.

It would be surprising if there were no pipe laid already!
However, finding out whether that pipe is blocked, buried, or broken - or really not there at all, should be your first step.

Installing a small culvert shouldn't be too hard...
However, excavating all along the whole length of the ditch, so that the land actually drains rather well is probably a much bigger task than merely allowing the presently standing water an easy means of escape.
I think Rob is addressing the question of 'doing the job properly', rather than merely taking the cork out of the bottle...

As to what a minimal fix might involve, its a matter of how big a hole you are going to need to excavate... I'm sure you can measure it up.
The 'reach' and depth required will determine the size of machine you need.
But Bobcat mini digger hire looks pretty reasonable - perhaps �60 a day or �250 a week (+ vat).
https://www.rowlandtractors.co.uk/equipmentrates.htm for example
If you want to continue to use that passage, then you are going to be putting in some pipes, and then refilling the hole you dug out.
My expectation is that it would be a very good thing to protect/stabilise/strengthen those pipes with some concrete. Or use metal pipe.
If there's any question of the river flooding into the ditch and thereby inundating fields *before* it overflows its banks, it might be a very good thing to fit a simple one-way valve to your pipe...

I'd also expect the refilling to be initially a bit loose, and thus high, but to gradually settle over a period of perhaps a couple of years - during which time you may need to do some more levelling work!

It doesn't seem too hard, especially if you say it quickly...

Nanny

Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 2:18 pm Post subject:
at the risk of sounding a bit girly i should get a little man in to do it dear.................they like playing with water and dirt......keeps them entertained for hours.............

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 6:45 pm Post subject:

The ditch drains away from the river. The river has quite a steep bank so the ditch seems to start at the foot of the bank then (as per picture) to the right into the stream. The 'dam' has no pipe at all because the previous tenant was my uncle and he has said he just filled up that part of the ditch because it isn't a running water course

I will look into the SPF idea thank you.
If I hired a digger how easy are they to drive? I've driven a fork lift on occasion.....

Nanny I have given up on the men in my life they are all drama queens and afraid of hard work! I like playing in mud and water and wouldn't let them have the pleasure!

Nanny

Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 7:07 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I have given up on the men in my life they are all drama queens and afraid of hard work! I like playing in mud and water and wouldn't let them have the pleasure!

well done you

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 05 7:14 pm Post subject:
Physically, a modern digger is easy to drive providing you have some eye to hand coordination & can move two hands independently. It may be best to get half a days practise on a less precise job though, rather than going straight to the dyke.

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