Knowledgebase

Erosion control #880325

Asked August 05, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT

We have 7 acts in the hills. We have a 4 foot deep gully through our land that has a small amount of water year round 12” across 1 “ deep in the summer but 2 feet across and 1 foot deep in the winter. It is worrying the banks and deepening the channel. I have been doing some reading and am wondering if a brave/brush permeable/ overflow type dam might control the erosion and create a better wildlife habitat. Can you direct me to some resources? Thank you

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

Sorry for the typos. 
7 acres

Worrying = eroding

Brave = beaver

The Question Asker Replied August 05, 2024, 6:30 PM EDT

Sorry for the typos. 
7 acres

Worrying = eroding

Brave = beaver

The Question Asker Replied August 05, 2024, 7:35 PM EDT

Hi Daniel,

I wanted to check what sort of landscape and land use is going on there, for instance is it wooded, pasture, seed or horticulture production? This context would be helpful. Also, Oregon has some regulations around interfering with a permanent stream so those would need to be factored in (they are mean to protect a shared resource). What county are you in? I also might connect you with your county's soil and water conservation district (SWDC), they can help and even pay or reimburse measures you are talking about and are a great resource.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 06, 2024, 5:36 PM EDT
PS. I would love to hear more about the SWDC!

On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 2:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT
Hi,

Thank you for getting back to me. It is mixed deciduous and evergreen forest we want to leave it natural and are not trying to do anything other than clear brush and remove downed trees to improve the space visually and reduce fire hazard. We would like it to be a reserve, a place that would be nice to wander through on trails. We are chipping some of the fallen branches into chips laying chips to mark trails.

The “creek” right now is just essentially a big ditch that is getting deeper every winter with undermined and eroding banks. Our desire is to slow the water flow down but not divert or permanently detain it, thereby decreasing soil erosion.

We are in Lane County.

Thank you!

Dan Phillips

On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 2:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT

Thanks for the info, Daniel,

I think the Soil and Water Conservation district would really the support that you are looking for. They coordinate with different organizations and landholders to make environmental stewardship more accessible at different scales. To be honest my strengths are in horticulture systems so I think they would be better equipped for your needs. 

If you don't mind, I can also pass you along to my colleague Lorelle, her extension position is in Forestry and she's very knowledgeable. She doesn't cover your county, but she would know other contacts if you would like help developing and management plans for your forest and erosion issue. 

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/lorelle-sherman 

https://uwswcd.org/

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 06, 2024, 7:41 PM EDT
Thank you, I will definitely contact the UWSWCD!  You are free to pass on my contact information but we already have a forester and a forest plan, so I don’t think we need any more assistance in that area.

Best regards

Dan

On Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 4:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 7:54 PM EDT

Sounds great! thank you Dan!


Todd Anderson

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 08, 2024, 7:54 PM EDT

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