Dam erosion

3 posts
Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:59 #1

Member for

9 years 6 months
pem_chris@outl…
Last seen: 04/20/2018 - 13:54
Joined: 05/29/2015 - 09:34

Dam erosion

Hi there,

 

I recently bought a farm with a reasonable size dam. Each time it rains the water looks murky and I suspect this is due to the sides of the dam being exposed to the run off and rain. I am trying to find out how I can stop this issue and came up with the following options:

1. Line the sides with plastic sheets and ensure the top edges are secure to the soil.

2. Plant bushes or grasses on the sides to stop erosion.

 

I think my preferred long term solution is option 2 but not sure what sort of grass or bush would be suitable in Tasmania and how to go about it. Option 1 perhaps offer a short term solution or perhaps I am thinking using both options. Does anyone have face this problem before and found a solution ..please share your experience I would really appreciate your ideas/suggestions. Thanks

 

Regards

Chris

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Sat, 05/30/2015 - 17:14 #2
rmcpb
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/22/2012 - 11:13
Where does your runoff come from? Is it bare dirt, if so it will be full of silt and clay. I like to run my water through well grassed swales to slow it down on the way to the dam so it has time to soak in and get cleaned. I also like to keep my dam walls well grassed and fenced off from stock so they don't go pugging it up. I reckon your option 1 would be a real pain. You are right about option 2 being the best one. As for option 1 I would only use grasses as bush and tree roots can compromise your wall. Also its easier to slash and maintain if you are not dodging bushes. Cheers Rob.
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Sat, 05/30/2015 - 17:26 #3
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Chris,

I agree with Rob. I live in the sub tropics, but sounds to me like the water coming into the dam must be running over bare soil and not grass or coarse gravel. If this is the case I would plant grasses in the run in area to the dam. If you don't and sand and clay keep coming in with the water, it will eventually silt up the dam. In my area of SE Qld,some of us would plant Water Couch in the run in area, as that grows in damp areas or actually in the water. However, it may not grow in your much cooler climate. The cattle and goats like it too as I have seen them up to their bellies in the dam grazing on it!

 

If the water is becoming turgid from run off water from the dam sides, it would seem to me that there would be grooves in the sides of the dam where the water was running down.

 

Cheers,

Barb

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