Closing Up The Dam To Fill The 15 Acre Lake

www.letsdig18.com/ for shirts and more

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

That was another Unbelievably productive, long, tiring, educational and most importantly ENJOYABLE day that I will never forget and I We, (Wendy, me & David) are so appreciative!🙏🙏🙏 My perspective is scheduled for 8 am tomorrow....David's 33rd Birthday in Heaven...He's forever 29 🎂🙏🙏🙏

[@mslorry3420]

Was glad to see Chris step in and complete David's dream with you! This is one awesome lake.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

@@mslorry3420 Me Too!....Thank you!

[@genesispuredeaf2390]

I love a story where there is commitment that outlasts all the doubters, nay sayers and boo birds. Happy birthday to David

[@CK-yi6pc]

Good friends are hard to find, Happy Birthday David…..😊

[@judieperry7533]

Happy heavenly birthday to your son.... ❤️🙏

[@stevekissel605]

I'm happy for him. I bet it was emotional for him with the passing of his son. Great video 👍 👍

[@rogerdavies6226]

Ya know, doing this, waaay back when, as I look back were some of the happiest and best times of my life. Outta be a law against getting old. Spent a lot of time building stock tanks and making spreader dams to spread out water. Saw something a while ago where this Mexican farmer took on a challange. Lives on edge of the largest desert in Nor Am. This ol boy not stupid. He saw the winter rains washing everything away. He got an idea to build a lot of small catch basins all over the desert. He has been at this about 6 years. the before and after pictures -- man what a difference. From desert brush and weeds to lush areas and some farming is now starting to take place. No big grant, sometimes it was him and a shovel. He has all solar which powers everything he wants,

[@Marialyse]

Wow!!!! That is totally different from your norm. Definitely a new learning curve. Fascinating

[@robinparkes988]

The 2 of you have certainly shifted some material in a day. Well done. That dozer has done an epic job

[@pinwizz69]

Another pond gets the Chris Letsdig18 treatment and absolutely no doubt that his friend Scott is one happy camper to finally have it almost finished. Can't wait to see the overflow put in and the last grooming done next episode.

[@annetodd4626]

I remember the day Justin & you first went to see Scott & David to plan the lake. It’s so good to see it almost finished.Scott must be over the moon.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

I remember that Day well...Seems like yesterday....wish I could go back to that day 🙏

[@scottwheeler2494]

I think we all wish that could be true. Not exactly fair.

[@graceangel5146]

@Southern Homestead Transformation I'm sure the majority of us wish you could go back to that day. I for one am sorry you can't. I have no doubt though that David is watching and happy to see this transformation. I am sending you a big ((((hug)))).

[@cathiwim]

Me too! And to see that dragline in the pond, i wondered how you were gonna get it out of there, but you did it! Love watching your work! Did i tell you that we are copying how you did your greenhouse for when we build ours? Ours is much smaller.

[@davidcassidy6226]

Where are you with all of that sand??

[@babsyred9710]

Great upload Chris and good man helping Scott 👍🏻

[@stephena2390]

The amount of water flowing out of the pond is unbelievable

[@KA-om9oz]

You believe it

[@michaelmullins1290]

Scott has done a lot of work, but it's amazing when a second professional shows up. Always need one more guy.

[@Thepondguy85]

Definitely going to need updates on how's it's filling and holding water

[@mgysgtfrankland0317]

I haven’t watched the original video when this lake was built so my question is did they leave the cut in the dam or did it wash out. Second question how well does a dam made out of sand hold water, does it need to be wider than a clay dam to hold water I always thought sand was to porous to work as material for a dam. Love the videos great content!

[@wt1491]

It’s nice to have friends to help you out. You are a very good friend, Chris!

[@tomrogers9467]

Ahhh, the simple pleasures in life for this old guy: A nice dinner, good wine, and settling down to enjoy another day’s accomplishments by Chris!

[@craigwavra3495]

Enjoyed the video. Well done today!! Beats playing in the mud!! Always like to see the dozer in action.

[@rons4778]

I was amazed at the volume of water flowing through the gap it will be interesting what it will level out at

[@Histandard2011]

I don't understand how Chris being an excellent operator and so knowable about what he does had 2.4K views and only 368 likes. Only takes 3 seconds to hit the like button and help him out with you tube stats. Just saying.

[@NZDIRT]

Its at 18k views in 1 hour, thats pretty decent

[@whistledick]

I'm gonna give it a thumbs down just for you.just saying haha

[@Histandard2011]

@@NZDIRT I was referring to the small amount of "LIKES" not views

[@YCS-186]

279k views 12k likes after 11 days lol. Surely he gets the proper attention

[@colinhayward9184]

Because he didn’t ask people to like

[@charleslloyd4253]

Silicon has been used for centuries to seal and waterproof things. Silica sand is the most prevalent sand in Florida and the deep south. The sand has to be I think at least 75% quartz to be considered silica sand. The sand is about the hardest sand there is. And compacts hard as you seen when digging compacted sand and when compacted is almost impervious to water. It is a whole different sand than you find in NC.

[@kenguier8464]

The general may have a limit on how much it can carry, but it carries it in style. Looking good.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

We actually got 6 scoops on it for a lot of trips 😁

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

​@@southernhomesteadtransformatio and those new black side boards look AWESOME !!!

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

@@delcasaleexcavating9508 Thank you Tom!

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

@@southernhomesteadtransformatio you're welcome

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

I owned the General for 4 years and can say those 5 tons are over built and can handle way more weight than what the capacity of the dump body holds.

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

Yeah turned out all right. Guess he's glad to have you as a friend to give him a hand and do the work. Good job. He's going to really appreciate it. I'll tell you. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦

[@youbuyweplant]

Bravo for what occurred in this video! Friendship, expertise of a friend. A perfect mix!

[@bobjoncas2814]

...LOOKS GREAT, NICE WORK, KEEP SAFE..

[@brucemoore2163]

Chris, that’s the first time you’ve been on a dozer for that long a period in any of your films. All of the finish grade work and sir I want to tell you, you are the master.

[@kens.3729]

Property Owner has to be Excited with your Visit, your Efforts and another Step Closer to Completion. 👍🙏

[@johnnymorris9280]

If the pump is cavitating and only wants to work when idling, then the hydraulic filter is stopped up or you have a restriction in the suction line. Sometimes the rubber on the inside of the line can peel loose and fold back inside itself and restrict the flow.

[@luigidellifiori6269]

tank size and oil Hight don't be scared to fiil it high if a venturi starts it can suck air to a too small fitting in the suction lie can give you trouble too

[@gazza116]

blocked filter or suction leak ?

[@ut000bs]

A buddy of mine was an aircraft hydraulic mechanic in the Navy and he used to close his eyes, trace out the path he knew it had to take, and mention a couple of things like that and he was usually right. It didn't matter if he was talking about an EA-6B Prowler or a wheel loader. Then again, I was an avionics tech and I can do the same for a lot of electrical and electronic equipment. If you like it you learn more as you go. In my long years I've learned to pay attention to people who should know what they're talking about. They aren't perfect but generally they seem to be perfect enough. We need more people like that. My thanks to you and Chris both.

[@duaneayers6117]

Hopefully Chris, you will go back there one day after it's all finished and show us viewers what it looks like as a finished job.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

I will be sure to show it filling 😁

[@michaelbraga9620]

Great job Chris and Scott. The lake is going to be gem when finished. Kudos to you Chris for help your friend finish up his labor of love. Salute to you Scott and family for your service and sacrifice for this country. God bless !!

[@DougT25427]

I can’t praise Chris enough for helping to get this lake closer to being finished. It is a huge job for one man. Chris is all about working efficiently. That is how he can make a big change in a short amount of time. I’ve always ragged on Chris’s baby dozer. It is really too small for most of the work he does but in the hands of a good operator it can get the job done. Working around this lake that little dozer really shines.

[@greghoffstadt667]

Chris love this style of video. I'm sure you brought some closer to the family , and his Father. I can honestly say that I am honored to have been following you since this journey began. Side note. The drone of the dozer is so hard for me not to fall asleep to. After being stationed on ships in the military. The drone of the peanut motor is cathartic. Love your work as always .

[@colinkennedy8730]

Well done team it’s looking good

[@glennspreeman1634]

water quality should be awesome with spring water and sand base!

[@brentking-gmailking2570]

Looking good Chris. You are just who Scott needed to help him finish the pond up nicely. Thanks for sharing and have a great day.

[@robnewell6123]

The dozer is perfect for pushing that sandy material, you got a heck of a lot done today!

[@pettergardo3874]

Want to try running a dozer one day. Suspect it would take Chris days to fix the mess afterwards 😂😂😂

[@leol1682]

Chris that was a very good job man love it .

[@randycarpenter2914]

It's turning out nice. I hope you can give an update when it is full. Nice fishing pond easy to get around on the bank.

[@keithdunlap2701]

Was crazy how much water was flowing out of there , when you started filling it in !! Wow !! And the way that sand, clay mix ?? or whatever it is, looks like it gets pretty hard after you spread it on out !! But, seems to be working pretty damn good !! And you guys got it looking really good so far Chris !! Scott has a beautiful place there, and really starting to look really nice with it dressed all up around the lake now !! Great as always Chris !! Have a Great Evening, And, On too the Next !!

[@GlobalistJuice]

Big transformation for that lake, it's going to look really nice! 👍

[@bones2610]

After all that man has been through. That's really kind of you. This is just one more reason why I like your channel. You seem like one of the good people.

[@csnelling4]

A great video Chris 👌Thank you . Good progress on the pond👍😎🍺🍺

[@TrevorDennis100]

I can kind of work out what you are doing and why you are doing it, which shows the difference between a hobby dirt pusher and a professional. Taking the dozer beyond the sand you have just pushed, for instance, which I am guessing is to track it in and and making a core as much as it is possible with sand. After you mentioned sand holding water I thought about the sand pits where I used to take my dirt bikes to practice, and they all filled with water after time. It's remarkable how much Scott and yourself accomplished in such a short time given how long Scott has been working on it. I can remember when Justin and yourself drove down there to advise Scott on a plan to develop the lake project, and the devastating news about David just a few short weeks later. I am sure every one of your followers felt the grief of David's death. I hope that when the lake is all finished, and Scott puts up a memorial for David that your name is mentioned with a thankyou for all the help you gave. Perhaps Justin will drive down there with you when the project is completely finished.

[@davidrice4172]

This last one is the ticket. Could not take my eyes of you making the .pound dam. Great work you guys.

[@donnaflanagan6612]

2 mates working together, to get a dream achieved. David would definitely be proud😊

[@jamesboris1233]

That"s nice you go up help a friend

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice slicken em up job sir, always a pleasure to watch you slick things up. Thanks for the tag along video.

[@rondastump8930]

You two work well together! Tremendous amt accomplished. Beautiful place! Know u blessed them. God's blessings and stay safe.

[@sydneymcconnaughhay5947]

Looked a little sketchy,on that dozer ,I had my eyes halfway shut.😮 Nice vid Chris

[@aarondrake396]

Well it’s nice to see that this sand is the only thing to ever generate more comments than the D6 exhaust pipe

[@terrypomatto907]

Growing up in Southern Illinois there was a sand pit that they used a dredge to dig out the sand and pile it up in a pile. They didn't ever run out of sand as the sand would migrate into the pool that they had for digging. It amazed me that they were able to have a good supply of sand in the pit for as long as I could remember and that was over eighty years.

[@mangrove21]

awesome to see the breach plugged, been a long road

[@Vickie-Bligh]

You do such awesome work. It's no wonder why you are in demand. Thanks for sharing, Chris.

[@MarkORoth-fu2cy]

I see that the Dump Truck has a 10' 6" Clearance. And it a good idea to put it right there where you will never forget.

[@GoBlue79]

Incredible! Chris your help is making dreams come true.

[@jandances1687]

That's why Chris is best for even I had to watch video twice too..this is going to be an excellent nature area..geese love I love it..great team work..UK out

[@erikgiggey4783]

i remember the first video you did there with Scott and his son, nice to see there dream closer to being done

[@chucklitten187]

I love that dump truck

[@gregnash8331]

Chris, I could just well imagine if the Volvo 550e and a haul truck was doing this ,,I think Scott would blow his mind at what could be moved with them

[@paulbriggs8035]

Awesome work accomplishment! I would have loved to have seen the Volvo 550 working there!!

[@brunomckay1875]

You can see how tight that compaction was getting even without a roller and just using the dozer, after a couple of passes the tracks were hardly apparent, good job indeed.

[@donburg5125]

Wow, Scott might have to go out and buy some more sand in order to fill that all in. Good job Chris and Scott, now its starting to look like a nice lake with sandy beaches all around.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

LOL, buy some? I have 15,000 yards stockpiled from what i excavated before allowing the water back in 🤣

[@genesispuredeaf2390]

@@southernhomesteadtransformatio yes, it was worth a laugh. It is really starting to look nice

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

@@genesispuredeaf2390 Thanks! 😁

[@GARDENER42]

@@southernhomesteadtransformatio I started a small job a few weeks back & wondered what I was going to do with all the stone & subsoil, as all I needed was enough for a few paths. By the end, I was scratching around for sufficient to finish what I planned.🙃.

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

@@GARDENER42 Always...that's why I dug as much as I could even if it looks like too much....I can always ues it for something 😁

[@bobhobson408]

Great job Chris and Scott. Chris you can operate anything with a seat and sticks. Amazed at how efficient and smooth you handle anything you operate

[@fshfrktx]

I normally don't like the dozer vids but this is a favorite.

[@larrylindsey1497]

Been keeping an eye on this project sine your first visit. Really good to see him plugging away. End results are looking GOOD!

[@heatherlane9270]

Surprising that sand holds water in some instances - wonder why - I will have to do some research for the answers. Watching you work the dozer and excavator is like watching a beautiful field of grain or pasture swaying in a gentle breeze - exquisite.

[@Damoinion]

From personal experience, sand is a great filter medium and traps all small particles. Like any filter, it finally becomes blocked and nothing can flow through it. If you make your filter area wide enough and dense enough, the flow rate with be too slow to erode and will also block up faster. From this point, as long as you build your overflow system in a well established and solidified area, a sand dam should hold just fine.

[@kurtwerner4258]

I think Chris is having fun...playing in the sand.😂

[@kneedeepinit]

I always think of the vet hospital build. Sand is a lot more fun than rock. Easier on the equipment as well

[@rolliekindvall7720]

Beautiful end results Chris and Scott > Fun to watch !!!

[@2badger2]

Chris has a great eye for the best way to move dirt/sand around in the more efficient manner

[@donbraden8533]

You guys have been working hard is definitely a big improvement looking very nice 👍👍😎

[@dalejohns2758]

Hope you do an Updating on this Pond-Lake! The amount of Sand is Crazy.

[@jaquigreenlees]

That dry sandy soil is what is needed to grow the Arbutus tree, a tree that is currently only growing in 1 region of the world and is protected from logging for it's brittle hardwood.

[@ronthacker211]

Interesting project, sure hope that sand packs tight enough to hold back the water.

[@karenheartoriginal3783]

Awesome work guys!

[@brucemckeon3228]

What a great friend and beautiful piece of property..............

[@actuallowroller]

Amazing what an extra pair of capable and knowledgeable hands can accomplish. Fantastic video. Excited to see the end result.

[@danjirak7123]

The difference of operating speed between your Volvo and this excavator is unbelievable. It must have felt like you were working on this in slow motion!

[@georgesikimeti2184]

Here in Australia the builders called it brickies sand,it has a higher clay content than any other sand varieties,once dry it stick together better due its angular shape molecule and clay content hence repel water or better water resistance.I can see that your kind of sand might be similar to what we have here,the bricklayers love it here due mainly to its higher moisture resistance,certainly suitable for dam building.

[@rickgalla3377]

Came out beautiful Chris, the kamatsu was great investment

[@CraigGrant-sh3in]

Where I live there is miles of river valley . It is sand and gravel . There are a lot of gravel pits . They all have large ponds from where they removed material . It is still sand on the bottoms because the state doesn't allow them to dig down as far as they could because their is ancient moss beds from the ice age down there and they are over our aquifers that the municipalities get our drinking water from. The ponds are 40 or more feet deep

[@gunfisher4661]

In our state the gravel pit lakes often run 80 - 100+ ft deep.

[@TimmyMoza]

Big changes since the start… looks great!!

[@AndrewFroude]

Looking good. Quite the transformation.

[@albertbusscher4270]

Now that's what I call a dam wall !!! Perfectly executed once again by the master of the machines . Greetings from Australia

[@stevegauld8456]

I would investigate the hydraulic pump suction line, going by what you've explained there its sounds too little, and when you rev it up the pump obviously increases speed but the flow of oil isn't enough and the noise your hearing is the pump cavitation.

[@patrickcolahan7499]

That sand cuts more like your clay than any sand I have seen on the West Coast. No wonder it holds water. Thanks for sharing.

[@fjr2go]

Waoh, that's a big improvement already

[@seekinfindin5669]

Shaping up good.

[@glennspreeman1634]

BTW, sand has silt and clay, just a lot less.

[@deeevans324]

I've been watching this guy for so long, I know his next move and I don't even know how to operate heavy machinery.

[@ltanthrax8435]

Don't we wish dirt could be moved in fast forward time speed, nice camera angle

[@onenuttybuddy]

Man oh Man, for a land owner, that is a huge lake. It is big enough that it take a long time to figure out all of the hot spots. Is it deep enough, and big enough, to water ski on it? I would love to own that beast. Very cool.

[@Billhilly87]

As for the dump on the General, sounds like a pressure relief valve and/or flow valve.

[@sc0tte1-416]

Exactly what I was thinking. Hydraulic pressure relief valve.

[@young11984]

Could possibly be the pump cavitating, my uncle had and old military dump with less that 7k miles on it. The pump would make an ungodly sound when engine was revved up, it was a massive pump but only had a 2” suction but had a reducer from 3” down to 2” at the pump and the tank, we drained it put a 3” nipples and hose on it couldnt believe how quiet it was or how much faster it dumped

[@sumduma55]

​@young11984 I was thinking something along these lines. If it isn't the inlet sizes, filters it is probably some private left the pump on driving down the highway and toasted a bearing which now acts as a relief valve at higher rpms (vibrates allowing oil to bypass the pressure side of thr pump).

[@johnroberts8475]

You guys really moved a lot of sand today Chris, what a dramatic change in 47:59 minutes. 👌

[@doritleis2773]

Thanks Chris for this very interesting Video. How You the Pond flowing off to close and the Dam to build up. This in layers Structure and then the complete Dam to raise on the inside and outside, and this in perfection. Thanks for this Video, and I gladden my of the Continuation., 💪👍👌

[@TheHillbillyEngineer]

Well done! I love watching this progress! If I could give you guys a hug through the comments I would!

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Geez Louise sir! You are turning that rough diamond into a finely polished gem. Beautiful work Chris.

[@Fatamus]

Got up to 40° here yesterday 🤗 👍😁

[@garymessina1609]

Great video great job both of you Chris and Scott

[@Mtlmshr]

Well done, lots of work & sand moved a heck of a pond/lake?!?

[@dennis2376]

That looks so much better, over time Scott and Davids dream has come true. Their hard work really shows. Thank you LetsDig18 for helping make their dream a reality. Have a great day and thank you for sharing. PS Question was that dirt you top the dam with?

[@southernhomesteadtransformatio]

No, just another type of sand, we have 5 or 6 different types around the lake...

[@TL64329]

Great video-I was curious as to how you would start this process and as always you made it look easy-very nice work. 👍

[@stevenmarsh5158]

That is the weirdest sand I have ever seen. After you tracked over it a few times with the excavator and dozer, it looked like it was cutting and rolling like clay. Then it would fall apart. Definitely an interesting scenario. Glad to see it coming together after the past few years.

[@stevendufresne9994]

Thank you for the Video Chris!!👍👍