Damming natural drainage

[Buck Verde]

We have an drainage area (overflow from a small tank) stays dry 90% of the time. Thinking of placing a small dam or 2 below the tank to keep some water a bit longer . Possibly simple stacking of sacrete. Anyone ever done something like this? How did it work out?

[dclifton]

Call in your local beavers!

[Rubberdown]

I mean… wouldn’t it go dry before the tank does? Can always do a tiered tank below the first one. Down the road from our place has 3 in a row and it’s absolutely beautiful.

[Buck Verde]

Would definitely run dry prior to the tank. Just holding water in place longer for trees and such along that current drainage.

[Rubberdown]

Ahh. I mean I have seen people use concrete bags to dam up an area. Just placed them when water levels were low but I can’t see if working I’d there’s much flow. My buddy did it in a small little run off area and it was nice until the first rain and then they washed out. I’d hate to see you waste money is the only reason I’m saying this.

[Buck Verde]

How high did he go? I’m only thinking 4 high . Maybe 5.

[Txhunter3000]

Pictures sure would help

[Draco]

Check sakrete prices before you plan on that. I bought some last week and it was almost $7 a bag.

[KactusKiller]

If you’re gonna do it you’d be a lot better off digging another pond with equipment. Sacrete is expensive, won’t hold water well and won’t last forever. If you do decide to go that route for some reason you would need to dig down to actual clay then start stacking. Still prob not gonna hold any water.

[toledo]

You might be able to accomplish what you want just renting a skid steer. Likely better than sacrete.

[SNKETR]

My neighbor tried Sacrete just two bags tall and max 10' wide. The first decent rain we had it all washed out.

[Hammerdown]

I would use a laser level and figure out how far the water will get based off the height of the dam you build. Then I would install an overflow pipe in the dam at desired height. What type of soil you have is a factor as well.

[Rubberdown]

How high did he go? I’m only thinking 4 high . Maybe 5.

I think it was about that.

[Parramore]

You might find this helpful. Good luck!

[Parramore]

Here are a few overflow structures that might be more your speed. Invest the construction if you want it to last. Take into account downstream risk factors like houses, bridges, roads, etc. If the structure fails due to poor construction, is it going to cause issues downstream?