The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: bungalow Bill on March 12, 2016, 07:17:06 am

Title: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: bungalow Bill on March 12, 2016, 07:17:06 am

Hello Small Holders,

I have a few small fields with a drainage ditch running along one end. The ditch empties into a drainage culvert owned by the council. Problem is, my drainage ditches dont empty completely as they are too low. I would like to make the ditches a bit deeper, but I would only exasperate the problem. Any one able to tell me if digging a pond for the at the end of the ditch would be a practical solution

Title: Re: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: stufe35 on March 14, 2016, 09:41:03 pm

What do you mean they are too low ? How can digging out a ditch make the flow through it worse.?

Can you explain your dilemma a little more clearly, I for one don't understand the problem you have.

Title: Re: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: Foobar on March 15, 2016, 01:46:56 pm

Do you mean the bottom of your ditch is lower than the output to the culvert?  and thus the water is being held in your ditch and not draining away?

Title: Re: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: pharnorth on March 15, 2016, 02:51:44 pm

Why is it a problem that they don't empty completely?  Providing they take the run off your field when needed does it matter that they hold a bit of water?

Title: Re: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: Foobar on March 15, 2016, 04:02:20 pm

Dig them deeper if you want, it won't make the situation any worse and will still help drain your fields.

Title: Re: Low Drainage Ditch
Post by: oor wullie on March 15, 2016, 04:03:23 pm

We have that problem although it is a ditch beside our road that discharges into a council ditch which is slightly higher than our ditch.  It is not a problem until it rains really heavily and then it floods.
I think the only solution would be to deepen the council ditch but I have better things to do.