OT: (pics) Continuation of Stream Crossing Culvert/Railcar

Here are some pictures, they are not the best. I am still in the midst of having the land cleared and this is the dozer crossing. When they finish I plan to shape this into my crossing. Judging the size (5-7 feet wide, 3-4 feet deep) I think I can use a single culvert.

Open to more ideas, suggestions, or reasons why it will not work...

[b:199b4f3735]VIEW OF CROSSING 1[/b:199b4f3735]



[b:199b4f3735]VIEW OF CROSSING 2[/b:199b4f3735]



[b:199b4f3735]UPSTREAM (I know, its damed up, Big NO NO)[/b:199b4f3735]



[b:199b4f3735]DOWNSTREAM ( I know, sediment in the stream, another NO NO)[/b:199b4f3735]



[b:199b4f3735]ENTERANCE TO CROSSING[/b:199b4f3735]



Thanks again guys,

Charles

If it is known how much water can flow at peak flood (crossectional area), or a good guess. Then add 30% to this number and plan to have that much culvert. Or use the semi/rail deck bridge. JimN

Couple of thoughts.
One, I like the looks of a bridge but I prefer culverts to use, in my opinion culverts are less maintenance. From the pictures it looks like one 48"-60" culvert will be plenty.
Two, if this creek is part of a county watershed drainage system I hope you spoke with the county drain commision before starting work.

The creek that goes through the middle of my farm is part of the drainage system and was dug by the county in the 1940"s. I have a good bridge that has old road commission bridge iron trusses but I am tired of buying planks for it. The county told me that if I want to buy the culvert they will put it in for me using their equipment. Which might be an option for you.

I do not think it is part of a watershed program. I did not notify anyone before I started the project of clearing, nor when I had it logged last October. I am still dragging out brush that the loggers pushed into the creek to make their crossings (2x). I know that it can fill to the brim, but that was due to the Parish (County) road culvert failure. It has since been replaced.

I agree on the size, I had estimated a 60". I am thinking of trimming the upstream side of the culvert on an angle and building a trash screen out of pipe. This should keep it from jamming up as bad or getting something stuck inside.

I have probably violated half a dozen codes or more since I started this in 2006. It may come back to bite me when I start to obtain building permits and inspectors come. One good point is the Police Jury rep lives down the road from me. In Louisiana, the Police Jury is over all roads outside of any city limits.

Thanks again,

Charles

For culvert size, go look at size used on the county roads on either side of this place. Nobody can complain if you use the same size or bigger than the county or state around you. They should have engineered their culverts to the proper standards anyway. Since your area may add some drainage, I would pay particular attention to the size of any downstream culverts but don't go smaller than what they are using on either side.

You are probably looking at a squashed/oval style culvert.

Not sure what is 5' to 7' wide, but your drive way needs to be at least 12' to 16'. Your vehicles and tractors are going to be 6' to 8' wide. Any truck bringing in building supplies will be at least 8 1/2' wide. Then you want at least a couple feet on each side for clearance and to avoid slip sliding around in the mud and driving off the edge. I'm changing my 12' pasture gates to 16' foot because of in the mud and stuff I have to slow way down to make sure I clear everything. Figure a single lane on a street or highway is 12 1/2' to 15'. Your culvert also has to be longer than your driving area is wide cause you can't pack dirt all the way out to the edge of a culvert for driving on.

My 2 cents anyway. Good luck. I have to put a couple in my self. One across a waterway for tractor access and then fix the dam of a pond. The city replaced a bunch of 6' storm sewer. A guy bought the old stuff and is selling them for $50 a joint which are about 6' to 8' long.

The deminsions were creek channel and bed. I will probably go with a 21' pipe. I think the oval type would be better, but they are more expensive. I saw a new culvert for sale that was 5-6' x 21' x3/8" thick for only $2100. The dozer man bought two culverts localy for another job at $2900 each and they were 4'.

I am going to measure the Parish road culvert and go from there. I think it is more than adaquate. I have contacts searching for used concrete sections or a big steel unit. Hopefully if I get it in the ground and sodded over, officials should leave me alone.

What about the trash screen? I have seen them before where they cut the pipes at an angle then weld 1"-2" pipe or tubing to the culvert. This make a grate to prevent large debris from getting lodged inside.

BC, good move on the gates. Back to Dad's farm most gates are 16'. I have build many. There are a few old 10'-12' gates left and they suck. Build a good 16' out of 2" pipe and livestock panel. Mount it to a 4" pipe post set 3'-4' deep and braced well, it will out live the farmer.

Thanks,
Charles

What part of Louisiana Charles? I'm over in Southeast Texas. From the looks of the dirt you're not too far north.

North of Natchitoches, not far from the Red River.

Charles

Around here it"s against the law for loggers to cross water through the bed. They have to use a bridge.

Dellbertt, it is probably against the law here as well but they sure made a grand mess. Fast crew, they moved 8-10 loads a day, but left a trashy set behind.

Charles

Make a missouri crossing out of it.We use these allot in small crossings in Iowa .Some larger rock with cement poured over the top doesn't stop the stream.

I did some checking and about 300 yards downstream the parish (county) road only has a 4 ft culvert under it. To top this off it has 1/2 ft of sediment at the enterance and over 1 ft at the discharge, which tells me it is laid uphill to the flow. I am SURE a registered Civil Engineer was present during the installation.

So... If there is a 4 ft tar covered steel with 1 ft of sediment under the parish road with less than 1 ft of fill over it... In the viewers honest opinion, would a concrete 4-5 ft culvert installed correctly be enough.

The way I see it the downstream culvert should slow the flow thru mine. I will try to get a picture of the downstream culvert tomorrow.

Thanks again,
Charles