![]() There are a myriad of authoritative entities all paid by your tax dollars who feel empowered and delighted to be able to tell you how, when, why, if you can and to what extent or that you cannot disturb your formerly picturesque lake or pond in any fashion. These “public servants” can barely suppress their glee as they inform you that they-not you-have authority over your body of water. The prospect of hydraulic dredging a “ private” pond is an invitation for droves of bureaucratic ghouls to come out of the woodwork and descend on you like flies drawn to stink. The crux of the problem revolves around what to do with all the water and gunk that comes out of the pipeline at its terminus. A hydraulic dredge can usually “suck up” sand and silt and put it into a pipeline without ruffling anyone feathers. Problems arise when all factors are taken into consideration-when the scope of the work is revealed. In the doing, however, there is potential for bad news. That is not a bad thought because using a hydraulic dredge to move sand and silt from a submerged lake bed to some distant point is usually the most efficient solution. The first thing that comes to mind is to dredge out the lake and restore it to health. Not only that, the swampy aspect has caused the value of the property to fall into the dumper. The scenic vista and the opportunity for water activities that prompted them to buy the place years ago are just memories. ![]() Inches-deep water surrounds the boat dock and proliferating water plants make swimming a not-so-good idea. I get a lot of inquiries from folks who have a problem with their neat home or cabin on the shore of what was once a picturesque little body of water. When the bottom is cleared of silt and debris, refill the pond.One of a series on the subject of practical hydraulic dredging. Remove the silt and relocate it to another area where it can be mixed with soil so it does not recontaminate the pond. Scrape the bottom of the pond with the excavating blade. Do not drain the water into a sewer system or other waterway, such as a local stream.Īllow the pond bed to dry out so the machinery does not become stuck while cleaning out the silt. Direct the flow of water toward an area that can accept the water without flooding any roads, driveways or other features. At first, this will be after each pass eventually, you will need to empty the bucket every few passes as you collect most of the silt from the bottom.ĭrain the pond using the pump to expose the bottom surface of the pond. Empty the bucket after it is no more than half full. The barrel scrapes silt as it goes across the bottom, and the water escapes through the lid. Use the machine to drag the barrel back and forth across the pond. Secure the cable to a bobcat, or to the ball of a tow hitch on a truck. Drill a large number of holes in the lid of the barrel with a 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch bit. Do not just deposit it on the bank of the pond silt is light and is not true soil, so it will wash right back into the pond with any rainfall.Īttach a heavy-duty steel cable to a 55-gallon metal drum with a lid. Mix the dredged silt with compost or other soil to re-use the material. The silt will feel soft and mucky, as opposed to the true bottom of the pond, which will be thick mud that gives some resistance when the shovel contacts it. ![]() Take care not to dig too deeply unless you desire to increase the depth of the pond past the built-up silt layer. Scrape the silt off the bottom of the pond with a shovel and deposit it in the wheelbarrow.
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