Wanted: Advice, Suggestions or Ideas (A bunch of pictures)

[CUZ]

I've got a "river" (at least that's what the map says) that runs practically on the edge of some of the property. A few years ago the State did a project upstream that caused the water flow to change and I'm getting some bad erosion in spots. The bank has moved anywhere from 10 to 50 feet.

Since the river is incredibly low due to the drought I was wondering if there were some simple things I could do to help slow it/stop it/reverse it? I'm thinking of cutting some of the nearby trees and putting them in the edge of the creek, but will that help or just give the water something to help in gouging out more of the bank.

OK, here's the pics. They start looking down the creek and work their way up the creek.

I put on my boots and walked over to the other side.

Cow should give some perception on the height of the bank and how low the water is.

10 years ago these girls would have been close to the bank instead of in the water.

I would appreciate your input. I've got more pictures of this section of the bank if they'll help.

Thanks
Cuz

 

[Jogeephus]

I wouldn't cut any trees along the bank. The root lip you have along the edge is protecting the integrity of the bank more than you may realize. I would also suggest planting more trees like river birch along the edge if possible. Young river birch can be snatched out of the sandy areas with a tractor in the winter months and replanted along the edge. Though this won't help with the undermining of the base of the bank it will prevent the gullying of the bank which can lead to a compounded problem.

The only thing I know that will stop the degradation of the base of the bank is rip rap and that is extremely expensive plus you will probably have to get some permits and things to do this type work.

Since you say the state's activities upstream caused the problem, why not get their water quality guy out there to look at it. He might offer some solutions and might even have some government funds available to fix the problem as well. But be nice, the first few minutes of the meeting will make him either friend or foe. JMO

 

[Crowderfarms]

Not that it would have anything to do with Cuz's Cattle, but we're in the worst drought here in Mid Tenn. in a hundred years. Lighten up on the feller. We aint all as perfect as you.

I'd get someone's attention on a level of State Representative at the least, or a local paper. I can only imagine your frustration.

 

[Tegerian]

You could get old concrete rubble to put along the base of the bank/banks that are eroding, might be a bit too costly though.

 

[ollie?]

Push the gravel bank over to the otherside with a dozer and straighten the creek out.

 

[CUZ]

Thanks for any and all input, guys.

First off, we have had a guy out from the Harpeth River Watershed organization. (This is one of the Harpeth River feeder rivers.) He talked about some money being available but I'm sure it went to more populated places along the line. By the way he liked us so much he gave us an award.

I wasn't thinking of cutting anything within 50 feet of the edge, but wondered if it might be of use in helping to keep the water flow away from the bank.

Second, TNMBP, we like to keep them where we can count their ribs. That way we can keep the cattle rustlers from being interested in us. (I bet you weren't interested in that cow at all.) Actually she is old and on her last go around, but she'd certainly look better if grass was knee deep. There is mineral available.

Crowder, you're right on all counts, but the project upstream was federally funded and we all know how the state's and counties will prostitute themselves to get some of it.

Tegerian, that's something I had pondered but cost would be prohibitive.

ollie?, the State is very finicky about letting dozers and backhoes into their potential drinking water. A guy just upstream from us got a $10,000 fine about 15 years ago when all he was doing was driving his backhoe out into the water and getting some creek gravel. Lord only knows what a fine would be today by the time they got through with a guy.

I tried to get an out-of-state backhoe guy from a nearby water line project to moonlight a little. Even he had heard not to get his backhoe into a creek around here.

Thanks for these and ya'll keep shouting out any idea you think might help.

 

[cowgirl580]

like someone else suggested, put rip rap along the bank and fill some old tires with cement or rocks or whathaveyou so that they stay on the bank. that's what we have to do. our river shifts all by its lonesome. we've lost quite a bit of bank the last couple years.

 

[Gate Opener]

When I saw the picture of the cow my first thought was that she was old.

Anyway, I have found that water will go where it wants to. You would have to spend a lot of $$ to try and fix that.

By the way that river is very pretty. I wouldn't be able to resist wading around in that.

 

[hopalong]

When I saw the picture of the cow my first thought was that she was old..

That was my thought as well, especially after viewing the other cows.
But then you know TTCLM

 

[alabama]

Junk cars. Yes junk cars placed just up stream on the erosion side will push the water to the other side and silt in behind the old car. That is the cheapest. If you have to rip-rap the banks with filterfabric under will cost way too much.

If the up stream activity has caused this then sue the goverment that caused it.

 

[Horticattleman]

I think whoever created the problem is definitely resonsible to correct it.

You say that feller got a fine for putting equipment in the creek, I would suspect cows would not be exempt! You say this is potential drinking water?

 

[CUZ]

I think whoever created the problem is definitely resonsible to correct it.

You say that feller got a fine for putting equipment in the creek, I would suspect cows would not be exempt! You say this is potential drinking water?

Cow manure must not be a problem. But the testing station several miles down the way will definitely notice oil, diesel fuel, gas, hydraulic fluid or grease. Of course when they follow up the rivers and creeks they'll eventually come to the spot where someone's been working. Makes it kinda hard to deny when there is all kinds of evidence like tire tracks, fresh gravel and mashed foliage at that spot.

 

[Crowderfarms]

Cuz, Here's what I'd do if I got no local satisfaction.

http://www.Newschannel5.com

They seem to love stories like your's. ;-)

 

[CUZ]

Junk cars. Yes junk cars placed just up stream on the erosion side will push the water to the other side and silt in behind the old car. That is the cheapest. If you have to rip-rap the banks with filterfabric under will cost way too much.

If the up stream activity has caused this then sue the goverment that caused it.

Junk cars. Hmmmmmm. I'll run that by the water district guy, all he can say is no.

 

[CUZ]

Cuz, Here's what I'd do if I got no local satisfaction.

http://www.Newschannel5.com

They seem to love stories like your's. ;-)

That's an idea, but what happens if they see one of my POOR old cows? Will certain people be leading PETA down there to be sure the cows are getting enough massages and tlc? Some of the cows have (I'm such a terrible cattleman ) flys and their hinnies are not always the cleanest. May I could only let them see photogenic cows and calves.

 

[alabama]

Junk cars. Yes junk cars placed just up stream on the erosion side will push the water to the other side and silt in behind the old car. That is the cheapest. If you have to rip-rap the banks with filterfabric under will cost way too much.

If the up stream activity has caused this then sue the goverment that caused it.

Junk cars. Hmmmmmm. I'll run that by the water district guy, all he can say is no.

The water district guy will say NO. But old wrecks will do the job with a cost in the low $1000's. If you do anything with goverment aproval it will require a permite form the core of engineers and the cost of grading with filter fabric blanket covered with rip-rap will cost in the $1,000,000's.

I have fixed scour at bridge abutments with the correct placement of an old junk car but not in the last 15 years. those whiper snappers the the Core has hired don't care what it cost.