wtnhunt Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Had asked in here before about trying to drain some land in the bottom. Someone suggested trying the army corps of engineers. That was a dead end. Not sure exactly why they cannot help, but the persons I talked to said they could not help and did not know who if anyone could. Basically the water is coming in from a river on a channel that used to be a drain. The drain was dug out and now the water is flowing backwards and seeping back in, flooding my land. If I could get a culvert in the drain channel near the end or at the end where it jois the river and cover it could that possibly limit the water flooding back in if I got it high enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question Do you mean like creating some sort of dam or way to block it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gitcha_some Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question is it atleast giving you good duck hunting?...just kidding....that really sucks man id try calling your state dnr and see if they know anyone or anything to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] is it atleast giving you good duck hunting?...just kidding....that really sucks man id try calling your state dnr and see if they know anyone or anything to help [/ QUOTE ] Unfortunately YES, the ducks are there. We always have ducks down by the river though, and I dont duck hunt. I have not tried the twra, but the river basin authority and the army corps of engineers have said that they cannot do anything to help me out. Figure they are more capable than the twra. I kind of think putting in a culvert would limit the water flowing back in from the river, then the problem I would still have would be with the water that is there in the channel now, and the water that comes in when it rains. Might not work, but might help some. Maybe I can get down there some time this weekend and take some pics to show to give a better idea of what I am talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question William, I would think the culvert might work. It would be my first attempt. As long as it is low enough to drain to the river, yet just high enough to keep the river out. Pics might help members give a better idea/opinion -- you're right about that. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question Just remember that you're dealing with what some folks would define as a wetland. If you go to enough different agencies with your draining idea, I'm sure that sooner or later one of them will tell you that you CAN'T legally drain it for environmental reasons. Then you'll really be screwed. Do you know anyone who's a civil engineer? They might be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] I'm sure that sooner or later one of them will tell you that you CAN'T legally drain it for environmental reasons. Then you'll really be screwed. [/ QUOTE ] You might be right there, but the land is pretty well useless now anyways. Actually this ground used to not be wet year round. Used to dry completely out during the summer and stay dry up until the late winter and into part of the spring up until about 6 years ago. The neighbor channelled out the drainage ditch when he built his pond using dirt or more like mud from the ditch to pack onto his levee, which was not legal being that it was a mutual line for a portion of the way. The problem was not as bad when he first had the levee built, but it has progressively gotten worse and worse, and am afraid over time I will eventually lose all that ground. Now the ditch is more like a canal that is seeping back over is low spots, and his pond is a mosquitoe spawning haven. Really think if it got right down to it, the epa or whoever is over those regs with water could make him take his levee down, but I really dont want to go there and start what would lead to a civil dispute and the potential for this idiot next to me potentially become violent, which has been the norm for him. Actually after the mention of damming it, the thought crossed my mind to maybe dam it and rent a pump and pump the water out of the ditch, then fill in the low spots where the water is currently flooding back in. Might actually be possible to do that without costing me a fortune and could over time get back to cleaning it up where I might actually be able to manage it and have deer go back to bedding there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Re: land question wish I had that problem--cuz I love duck hunting. Wish I could help you with some advise but that is out of my league. bood luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Re: land question I think I recall you bringing this up before. First of all it seems your neighbor is the culprit here. His actions have your land getting to a useless [ at least for you ] state. I would think you have some legal recourse here. If it were me, I would talk to my neighbor and ask if he would be willing to work with you. If not I would seek legal council. This seems harsh but you have a right to your pursuit of happiness and he is obviously infringing on it. If you didn't have the problem before your neighbor did the excavating etc. he may be in violation. The only other source I know of which may be able to help would be the USDA. In NY state if that was a protected Trout stream you would have a solid case. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ousoonerfan22 Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Re: land question I would build a dam with a large culvert. My son would love to have a piece of ground like that so he could flood it every fall for duck hunting. If you went through a drought like we have the past two years then you learn to appreciate the water holes on your property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] If you went through a drought like we have the past two years then you learn to appreciate the water holes on your property [/ QUOTE ] We had a very dry summer here, and it still did not dry out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Re: land question Hey, if you can't drain it, take up duck hunting!! Heck. i'll even come with you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutz4bucks Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Re: land question Make sure you exhaust all your options i.e. contacting dnr, state off, corp because you could get into some serious trouble by disturbing natural habitat but a culvert sounds like the answer GOOD LUCK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] Make sure you exhaust all your options i.e. contacting dnr, state off, corp because you could get into some serious trouble by disturbing natural habitat but a culvert sounds like the answer GOOD LUCK [/ QUOTE ]Nutz is right, In WI if you do anything to alter a wetland you are in deep doo-doo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Make sure you exhaust all your options i.e. contacting dnr, state off, corp because you could get into some serious trouble by disturbing natural habitat but a culvert sounds like the answer GOOD LUCK [/ QUOTE ]Nutz is right, In WI if you do anything to alter a wetland you are in deep doo-doo!! [/ QUOTE ] This land used to not be a wetland, has been altered by the idiot who owns the property next to me. You guys mean to tell me that what he has done is irreversible because it has become a wetland I am certain that the laws here in regards to water ways and drainage, that it is illegal to divert the natural flow of the water on land that will effect another property which is what the neighbor has done, however I am not looking to file a suit or take it up with him, as all that would lead to is the potential for what might become a violent situation and with my family here, I do not want to go that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Make sure you exhaust all your options i.e. contacting dnr, state off, corp because you could get into some serious trouble by disturbing natural habitat but a culvert sounds like the answer GOOD LUCK [/ QUOTE ]Nutz is right, In WI if you do anything to alter a wetland you are in deep doo-doo!! [/ QUOTE ] This land used to not be a wetland, has been altered by the idiot who owns the property next to me. You guys mean to tell me that what he has done is irreversible because it has become a wetland I am certain that the laws here in regards to water ways and drainage, that it is illegal to divert the natural flow of the water on land that will effect another property which is what the neighbor has done, however I am not looking to file a suit or take it up with him, as all that would lead to is the potential for what might become a violent situation and with my family here, I do not want to go that route. [/ QUOTE ] I'm afraid what they are saying may hold true. Even if the wetland is man-made, it becomes a natural wetland over time, just how much time it takes I'm not sure. However, each case is different. Couple of suggestions: 1) lease it out to duck hunters to make some money, I for one would be interested. 2) if you want to use the land for other purposes, put up a levee or culvert to keep the water from entering your land. Buy a tractor pump to pump all the water out of your land. Flood it during duck season and charge people to hunt as a way to pay for the dirt work and pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question I have been reading this and the reason that I asked earlier about creating a dam or dyke is we have a pond behind my parents house that is a very large pond. It was a dyke on the other end that you can drive accross, so I am wondering if you can not get the water drained off your property I am wondering if you can create some sort of raised dyke of dam to block the wter from entering your property. It may cost some money but ther is no reason to pay taxes on a piece of property that is useless to you. Also at my house the farmers have a very wet spot in the field, it is much lower in the center of the field than it is on the outside, they tiled the field and actually have the tile going out to a lower spot where they do not mind having the water go, which just happens to be on my property which drains into a ditc they dug. The bad part is it was done before I bought my property , but it seems to work very well. The driest parts of the summer there is always water running out ot that culvert. A lot of farmers do that to their fields around here. These might be two options for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BriarRidgePlots Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question I was gonna suggest subsoiling it or running tile as mentioned above but it seems that your problems are beyond that! If you could post a pic, or a drawing even I would be glad to talk to my father in law (he has been in dirt movin for over 40 years!, he might be able to shed some light on the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutz4bucks Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: land question [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Make sure you exhaust all your options i.e. contacting dnr, state off, corp because you could get into some serious trouble by disturbing natural habitat but a culvert sounds like the answer GOOD LUCK [/ QUOTE ]Nutz is right, In WI if you do anything to alter a wetland you are in deep doo-doo!! [/ QUOTE ] This land used to not be a wetland, has been altered by the idiot who owns the property next to me. You guys mean to tell me that what he has done is irreversible because it has become a wetland I am certain that the laws here in regards to water ways and drainage, that it is illegal to divert the natural flow of the water on land that will effect another property which is what the neighbor has done, however I am not looking to file a suit or take it up with him, as all that would lead to is the potential for what might become a violent situation and with my family here, I do not want to go that route. [/ QUOTE ]wtnhunt not saying it would be a big court battle but you know the GOV. they want there money out of everything they can. 90% of the time any land altering is o.k. but has to be verified that there is not certain stuff that pertains to the land. just contact the dnr and tell them your problem and they can come up with a solution not saying you will like it but the will have an answer for you..never know it might just be that simple... GOOD LUCK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) Looking at the river where the ditch opens up. A few shots of the ditch that you used to be able to walk across or drive a 4 wheeler across, first one looking towards the river, second looking back towards my flooded property. Ironically the fence here was initially put up to keep the neghbor from sneaking on our property hunting, and to keep our horses from getting out. The opposite end of what used to be the ditch, now a year round slough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) A few more shots of the field and the hardwoods, which I am losing some timber here too as trees that have been there for years are falling over and rotting. Can see the levee in the first shot, middle of the pic. Lots of oak and beech trees in that little patch of hardwoods in the second pic, used to be a nice bedding area for the deer just opposite of the hardwoods in the willow thicket which now stays underwater. Used to be able to drive my truck through here, even this time of the year all the way back to the field, cannot get the tractor or even a 4 wheeler through here now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 28, 2007 Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) William, this water keeps you from accessing a field if I understand you correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) [ QUOTE ] William, this water keeps you from accessing a field if I understand you correctly? [/ QUOTE ] Keeps me from being able to do anything with the field Martin as nearly all of the field is wet year round now. This ground in the bottom used to flood every year occasionally but the water would go out and the ground would dry out. I used to be able to cut hay off of it and get 3 cuttings easily in the summer. Last summer I was able to get my light 4wd tractor in the field late in the summer after we had a pretty bad drought(5 or 6 weeks of no rain), but was still bush hogging in standing water in about 2/3rds of the field. Unfortunately the governmental agencies that should help out like the river basin authority and the army corps of engineers, have said they cannot and will not do anything to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted January 28, 2007 Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) go figure..if you had dredged the darn thing they'ed have ya hung with your rope to boot! I cant beleive the neighbor got away with doing what he did..that should be reported..Id go to the county courthouse and inquir..OR an annonamous phone call should be made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Re: land question(pics added) Would sure like to be able to plant something down there again. Had some really nice clover growing down there before it got out of hand. Would make a great place to plant some trefoil and clover if I could ever get it back under control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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