land question

[wtnhunt]

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?

[QDMAworks4me]

Do you mean like creating some sort of dam or way to block it?

[gitcha_some]

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

[wtnhunt]

[ 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.

[Buckslayer]

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.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

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.

[wtnhunt]

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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.


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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.

[dogdoc]

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

[LETMGROW]

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!

[ousoonerfan22]

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.

[wtnhunt]

[ 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

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We had a very dry summer here, and it still did not dry out.

[Randy]

Hey, if you can't drain it, take up duck hunting!! Heck. i'll even come with you!!

[nutz4bucks]

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

[Randy]

[ 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!!

[wtnhunt]

[ 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.