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Fence across "creek"

5,782 Views | 29 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Sea Speed
cupofjoe04
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AG
We are scheduled to close next week on a piece of property. Just 1.5 acres, but it's a perfect location and just enough work for us to manageably update. Should be great.

The back 1/3 of the property has loads of established trees, and pretty badly overgrown brush. Nothing a brush hog and some sweat equity won't fix. There is a small wet weather creek. More of just drainage for the neighborhood than a creek (doesn't hold water, just some puddles). It's clear water moves down it annually, but not enough to keep grass from growing. Doesn't seem to be any limbs or anything large that floats- if it did it would have collected on this property (as that part hasnt been cleared/kept up in a while). Some small trash, that I'm sure will be routine.

My question is this. The drainage runs straight across the back of the property, and is about 2-4 foot deep (not water depth, just a few feet down from level ground). The drainage cuts off about .25 acres of the back that I would love to fence in with the rest of the yard. Would need to be large dog proof to be worth it.

What type of fence, if any, would you recommend crossing the "creek". I would prefer an affordable fence with visibility, over a solid wooden fence. Split rail or pipe with panels/wire would be just fine for me. I could easily span the "gap", and add more panel under where the water flows. I'm guessing I would likely need to fix/replace those panels occasionally? I'm not the first to do this, so there may be an easy solution I am ignorant to? Learn me OB!

Thanks!
TikkaShooter
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Water gap pipe fence that swings open to allow debris through the gap
Gunny456
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AG
Cupo. From what you are describing it looks like the little creek shows no evidence of flooding badly or carrying a lot of water.
Perhaps check with a neighbor that's been there a while and see how high it gets.
Personally I would build a good strong H-brace on each side and run a cable across it and hang cattle panel. Use the largest spacing panel so it won't catch a lot of drift.
Just really depends how much water the creek carries when flooding.
I have built some huge water gaps using 4" drill stem down to simple 2 7/8.
Mr. Frodo
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AG
Spitballing here … could you treat it like drainage ditch on the side of the road?

Put in a metal or concrete drainage pipe and cover over so that you can run your fence.
CS78
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Some good ideas.

If at all possible, don't put much into it until you can see it after a big rain. Ive learned two things in my dealings in dirt work and water. 1. Seeing a property under flood conditions will tell you more in two minutes than a months worth of figuring. 2. Don't be surprised if it takes a second attempt to get it perfect.
GSS
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"Would need to be large dog proof to be worth it."
That might be your biggest obstacle...
NRA Life
TSRA Life
cupofjoe04
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GSS said:

"Would need to be large dog proof to be worth it."
That might be your biggest obstacle...



Yeah, I'm thinking so.

But- she did stay in our yard in CO, even though the snow piled so high she practically could have stepped over the fence. Top of the fence was even with her back. So, she isn't an escape artist.

After some of the great suggestions above, I'm wondering if a water gap with a heavier bottom panel might be the right solution. Maybe even using some heavy rubber matting, that would discourage her from pushing through.
cupofjoe04
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CS78 said:

Some good ideas.

If at all possible, don't put much into it until you can see it after a big rain. Ive learned two things in my dealings in dirt work and water. 1. Seeing a property under flood conditions will tell you more in two minutes than a months worth of figuring. 2. Don't be surprised if it takes a second attempt to get it perfect.


I believe this is gospel, right here. Great advice. I fully expect to fiddle with this for several iterations. It's generally how my projects go anyway.

I will for sure lean on the experience of neighbors, and see what I can glean. I might just fence off the whole yard, and put a cross fence before the drainage ditch for a year or two - so we can see what it does. During dry months, I can put panels up over the creek and let them play in the back. During wet weather, I'll take them down and watch and learn- and just restrict the dog with the cross fence.

That's probably the cheapest first step. Or just wait to fence the back till next year. I would ideally like the kids to be able to utilize that back portion with the dog, though.
Animal Eight 84
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My first thought was a swinging Water gap - but it won't be dog proof.

Put a big culvert on it at the property line and dog fence across the culvert.
will.mcg
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Could still do a swinging water gap. Add pins so you can "lock"it from swinging. Just have to remember to unlock it before flooding.
Gunny456
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Cupo. After you figure out what you have I can add that on our ranches over the years the greatest challenge I had was water gaps that worked without tearing out in big rains when you have a high fence place and lots of creeks.
I had them that would be as wide as 180 ft across and during bad floods they would be flowing water as high as 8ft or more.
After lots of money and trial and error I finally built gaps that would not wash out.
I figured out the highest possible width and depth of the water and built strong ends on each side of the creek then stretch a cable with very large turnbuckles to get the cable extremely tight. The cable needs to be higher than any water depth you can ever expect.
Then I hung galvanized tubing from the cable straight down like a big wind chime. My spacing was about 6" apart. When the water would come up they would just swing up and there was nothing horizontal to catch drift. Logs and limbs would just past through them.
After the water went down they would just swing back down.
To hold them in position I merely stretched two strands of smooth wire... one on the upstream side of them and one on the downstream side about two feet or so from the bottom ...To keep them from swinging and letting animals out.
When the water came up those smooth wires would break allowing the pipes to swing up.
Would only take me 30 minutes or so to put up the new horizontal single wires after the water went down and the cost for the smooth wire was minimal.
Swing gates work until your not around when it floods to open them... then it tears them out.
If I knew how, I could send you some actual videos and pics of one of my gaps working during a flood.
I never have to work on any of my gaps any longer after floods ( except to replace the two horizontal stabilizing smooth wires....and I don't lose animals.
You can use the concept on any size or depth of creek.
Wearer of the Ring
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AG
I'm sure somebody in D.C. might consider this a navigable water of the United States.




FJB
cupofjoe04
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I think this is a very possible viable solution. I could scale that down the size and strength needed. I don't really see much evidence of any significant flow. I imaginecould easily run the fence line across the gap, and rig a system as you have described just incase there over comes something with force. If not, it doesn't hurt anything to hang there. But I haven't spent enough time back there to truly understand all the factors yet.

Im pretty sure I can visualize what you have described, thanks! My Dad has significant experience and equipment for fabricating, so he could easily help me fab up the needed pieces for the gap. I love the idea of using smooth wire as a sacrificial restraint system, that's just the sort of idea I need.

After we get on the property (estimated May 7), I'll grab some pictures of the area, mock up an idea, and bring them back here for some wisdom from you all.
O.G.
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Dog proof isn't going to happen. Water gaps are one of the ways there are so many exotics free ranging in the hill country. Especially hogs. It's not the only reason but its a huge culprit.
Deerdude
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Whatever you end up doing, I'd just make sure that the water gap is somewhat independent of the rest of your fence. About every water gap I've been around at some point gets damaged/altered, torn away and you don't want the rest of the fence going with it.
redaszag99
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Just build whatever fence level across the ditch

Then cut a Cattle/Hog/Wire Mesh panel the shape of the ditch and sink it in the ground

It will let the water pass through but may get washed out if there is any major debris

If it gets washed out you will know you need to try something else
AgySkeet06
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AG
2-4 ft is more of a large ditch than a creek. I would just drop some large culvert type pipe at the ends then cover with dirt until level and build whatever type of fence you want straight across it.
Gunny456
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Maybe OP can ask a neighbor that has the same creek how bad if floods or perhaps the neighbors have already got a solution they have used? Sounds like it is small acreages so surely somebody can give him some insight on the amount of flooding/water flow.
rich1
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I use conveyor belt on my water gaps. Will allow water to flow. Does not clog up easily and it is too heavy for dogs to push thru.
cupofjoe04
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rich1 said:

I use conveyor belt on my water gaps. Will allow water to flow. Does not clog up easily and it is too heavy for dogs to push thru.


Where do you procure some? I have seen some gaps with rubber skirts, and I'm guessing it is something like this. Might be an easy attempt #1
rich1
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A quick search on FB marketplace shows a seller in Iola and one in Bryan.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1265869514308978/?mibextid=dXMIcH

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/663275849134487/?mibextid=dXMIcH

Jack Squat 83
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If you talk to your neighbors first and figure it all out, rather than just putting something up; you will have no reason to post a new "fence fight" thread which we usually look forward to.

Come on man!
Pretty sure most of you don’t know me.
BowSowy
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cupofjoe04 said:

rich1 said:

I use conveyor belt on my water gaps. Will allow water to flow. Does not clog up easily and it is too heavy for dogs to push thru.


Where do you procure some? I have seen some gaps with rubber skirts, and I'm guessing it is something like this. Might be an easy attempt #1
If you can't source conveyor belts, you might look into cable tray. No idea how cost effective it is versus conveyer belts, and I've never seen it used in cases where it has long exposure to flowing water, but I have seen it on projects with significant snow/ice. Same basic concept, although I imagine it's much lighter than conveyer belt.


Modern_AMC_Ag
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Definitely a ROOKIE landowner!!!!!

Rookie landowners should not be allowed to post this nonsense!!!
Sea Speed
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Modern_AMC_Ag said:

Definitely a ROOKIE landowner!!!!!

Rookie landowners should not be allowed to post this nonsense!!!


Wut?
MRB10
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It appears a SEASONED landowner had too many bud lights.
Illustrious Potentate
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If the purpose of the fence is solely for the dog, why not just fence to the ditch/creek instead of all the way to the property line?
cupofjoe04
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Modern_AMC_Ag said:

Definitely a ROOKIE landowner!!!!!

Rookie landowners should not be allowed to post this nonsense!!!


You trying to bring that smoke? I seriously don't think this post is going to go the way you anticipate, amigo.

Modern_AMC has posted on one day in Sept 22, one day in Oct 22, and then last last night. I think they are just mad that I (along with many others) apparently called them out months ago for starting a typical "rookie thread" on the FB forum back in Oct. Congrats, you totally got me back. I'm so devastated. Can we all move on now?

Oh- and talking about fences- wether it's building them or tearing them down- is sort of one of our specialties on the OB. I'm just surprised I got so much actual constrictive helpful advice before someone chastised me for not just tearing down all my neighbor's fences (which is clearly the only acceptable solution).
cupofjoe04
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Illustrious Potentate said:

If the purpose of the fence is solely for the dog, why not just fence to the ditch/creek instead of all the way to the property line?


I do think this will be the first step, and possibly the ultimate solution. I think it would be wise to watch it for a season and see what I am truly dealing with- flow wise.

I was honestly just wondering if there was a simple solution for me to be able to fence off and give easy access to my whole property, and not have a chunk cross fenced. It's not that big of a deal either way, just curious about other's experiences with water gaps or ditches.
Sea Speed
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AG
I dont have any experience with this, but from the sound of it you won't have too much water so it may be best to KISS.
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