Another Tree To Be Downed But A New Use For It

Saturday February 22

A cool, sunny morning and time to remove another Pinyon Pine which didn't make it.  But today, there will be no firewood, as I am going to try something different. In the photo below, mid way on the left side is a small black culvert. When there is that rare heavy rain, a lot of water rushes down from the ridge to the east and runs through the it.

At about this point the water starts to pick up speed. The rushing water causes erosion along the way. It picks up more water and eventually runs into the drive and can do a fair amount of damage to the sandy drive, as it did two summers ago.

And this rushing water goes right by a lot of trees, which could use a healthy drink.

After quite some contemplation, I have decided to use the logs of the trees I need to fell to build a series of small "check" dams over the course of 100 yards or so.

My theory of course is it will reduce erosion but, even more importantly, give the water a chance to soak into the ground, giving the needed drink. Of course, it has to rain or snow, but I shall be ready.

Today's Tree to be Removed and the Equipment

After the tree is felled I find a logical place for my dam and dig a small trench for a log to fit into and cut a log to length, place it, pack the sand underneath and then cover it with a lot of sand on top and on both sides. Nothing like being an amateur dam builder.  I have always enjoyed building dams...doesn't every kid??

My favorite dam story in good old Thief River Falls, Minnesota:

Once as a youth, in northwestern Minnesota, in the spring, after a large wet snow storm it got warm and snow was melting fast.  Several of us neighborhood kids built dams around all the street drains of an intersection and about 20 feet down each of the four street sections. It was marvelous!!  The whole intersection was about 6 inches deep in water and it was a big challenge to keep them all from collapsing.  One of the neighbors must not have appreciated our efforts, as after only a short while, a cop showed up and while amazed at our ingenuity, made us destroy that which we had built.  I still remember him smiling, as I often thought he would've liked to have been part of it.  I have often wondered if that cop was to be my future father-in-law about twelve years hence, as he was a great cop, whom most everybody really liked, even those who may have gotten into a little more trouble than building a dam or two.

Check Dam #1 With Base Dug In

Check Dam #1  Filled In Underneath

Check Dam #1 Completed

Check Dam #2 Completed

Two Check Dams Completed....Need a hard rain to see if they hold the water.  Need about four more further down to stop further erosion and hopefully will also help give the poor trees more to "drink" from.

Another great SDS Day!  Hope I am there when a downpour occurs...got my boots and shovel ready.