Flood Control

Everything is dry in the top picture, but you can see the sparse growth on the ground which is a flood zone. Our soil was getting sucked into this area. We finally got enough of a rain to bring up the flood since we put in the gravel dike and the fence. I dragged Becky to the window to see the flood control improvements. She is beginning to understand what I am working towards. Accomplishing solid results can't be left to chance. The dike is about 3' wide and 8" high at the highest point. I am sure it is substantial enough to hold the ground.

The pond created in heavy rains extended into our yard. The high water line is still visible in the middle photo to the right of the compost pile. The flood is now effectively held out of our yard.

In a flood there is a pushing force in the water coming at you. There is also a pulling force, like a siphon, in the water as it recedes. There is also the force of the weight of the water. Floodwater shaped this ground.

What I want in our yard is a gentle slope, from the house and the sides funneling to the alley under the gate. As I bring up the turf elevation the grass will move closer and closer to the fence over the screening gravel.

I thank God I found Mr. McCowan the sand, gravel and top soil man, who supplied the screenings. He took the time to come and take a look at my project before he brought the material. He listened patiently as I described the project and he agreed that my plan was a good one. When he dumped the material he did so in a very expert way that made the work of spreading 16 yards of screenings much easier.



I took this photo at the bottom as I waited to meet Mr. McCowan to come and confirm my material order. That was March 28th of this year.

What is difficult to show is all the agonizing I did to plan and dream this project. I had a mountain of doubt to climb. It was a good thing I had to work for it. If I had not been forced to study and plan for the outcome over a long period of time I would never have discovered what really needed to be done in order to have a solid foundation on which to build our garden.