Erasing Trees = Muddy H20 in Landscape / Water Feature

[M.D. Vaden]

So why would there be muddy water in the nice water feature?

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[M.D. Vaden]

Maybe because a contractor or homeowner cleared all the trees and vegetation to bare earth uphill. With no erosion fencing or mulch. Looks like about 1 acre of bare soil left for winter rains to pound on.

Soil is washing under the fence, muddy water filled the water feature where I just did the drainage consultation. Sounds like some water got into the house and may have affected the electrical.

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[ropensaddle]

Because a contractor or homeowner cleared all the trees and vegetation to bare earth uphill.

With no erosion fencing or mulch.

Soil is washing under the fence, muddy water filled the water feature where I just did the drainage consultation. Water apparently got into the house. And the electrical is not working right from what the homeowner said.

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So french drain is a solution?

 

[ropensaddle]

Picture just popped up wow they not tell you those plans? May terrace and french drain

 

[M.D. Vaden]

So french drain is a solution?

No.

French drain is a future defense on the downhill property. Even if the folks uphill put down erosion fence, they can't landscape yet.

That still leaves mole hole tunnels that are sending about 20% of the muddy water about 6 inches under the surface.

 

[ropensaddle]

No.

French drain is a future defense on the downhill property. Even if the folks uphill put down erosion fence, they can't landscape yet.

That still leaves mole hole tunnels that are sending about 20% of the muddy water about 6 inches under the surface.

Yeah the erosion fences are a requirement here in neighborhoods. So your clients are neighbors to the property pictured?

 

[NCTREE]

Does Ca. have rules or regulations on soil disturbance like permits or erosion and sediment control plans(E&S control plan)

Here in PA contractors or homeowners must have an E&S plan if disturbing soil over a certain number or acres. The plan must include means of control of erosion and runoff or get a big fine

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Yeah the erosion fences are a requirement here in neighborhoods. So your clients are neighbors to the property pictured?

Yes, the folks who hired me for advice are on the downhill side, and have a forested lot with groundcover, Douglas fir up to 4 ft. dbh, lots of other trees and shrubs.

They said the uphill lot had a bunch of trees too, and was wiped clean.

It was amazing that there was not one square inch of erosion fencing, straw bales or mulch.

@ NCTREE ...

Not sure what California does, since we are in north Oregon.

 

[stumper63]

Erosion control measures like silt fence, bags, etc are the first items to install on any ground-disturbing project in Portland metro area. These are inspected before ANY ground is moved or other construction started. Hard to believe that "under construction" house doesn't have a stop-work order due to lack of erosion control measures.

Additionally, contractors, at least in Portland, are required to post a sign that says: "Erosion Concerns? Call this City phone #" that gets them to the Bureau of Environmental Services, and they will be out in a heartbeat to check things out. Seems like your customer downhill should be able to get some answers from the contractor or a phone call to the City, unless he's friends with the neighbor.

But, we have had A LOT of rain in the last few days, minor flooding on several rivers.

Stumper63