"The Trench" Managing water coming from a neighboring property.

This is a story of how we managed water that was overflowing onto our property from a neighboring pond.
(I apologize in advance for hiw many times you will hear me say "uh" in this video. I'm trying to work on that for the sake of future videos. I realize it's annoying.)

[@jeff59rt]

When all the Post 10 fans get a recommendation.......

[@tonyabbot6771]

😂

[@DudeGuy-zt9eg]

🤣 facts

[@RedHat2023]

Here

[@gregmattes8053]

👆worst channel on YT

[@theenviropro7052]

LEGEND

[@bobbypatton4903]

This guy sounds like he read the wikipedia on surface water management 10 minutes ago and is now giving a presentation to the class immediately after.

[@wandererkangaroo442]

well he could be an engineer

[@robwright5940]

His class teaches thst water flows down hill.

[@chrisk6668]

Well he actually did the necessary work to make it happen tho.

[@thomas1942]

We all been! (well most of us)

[@treycaron6734]

Or he's the second cousin's sister's former roommate of Tom Bodett

[@chrisdesimone4249]

For those of us who did this, we know the dedication this took.

[@whataguy7032]

If it were me, I wouldn't cut anything near your ditch. The saplings and vegetation will keep down erosion. My hats off to you. This was an enormous project with just hand tools! Congrats!

[@kylespraysammili9108]

But if he dug all that... Where were the dirt piles?

[@Reviloj]

Goes to show you that if you put your mind to something you love doing, great things can happen.

[@drakewesterman9798]

@@kylespraysammili9108 he did it 7 rd ago. He probably spreaded the dirt out to were you wouldn’t notice or hauled it away

[@antoinettemarie-stautertri4010]

My thoughts exactly!

[@michaeltesmer7150]

Absolutely! This is a job for the city or county. Not to mention the somewhat illegal ramifications of altering your property that causes flooding on your property. I deal with this same thing but on a smaller scale. Hats off to this guy for getting out there and just taking care of an enormous project with just manual labor and a lot of tenacity. That’s what this country was built on.

[@2008Amp1]

The tree roots are holding the soil So do not cut them down, Unless you want to dig out the trench again & again, It will also cause Erosion

[@psychotropnilachtan8869]

He said he did it 7 years ago so you are wrong :D

[@mariannesouza8326]

@@psychotropnilachtan8869 Actually you’re the one that is wrong. The Commenter, to whom your replying, was referring to OP’s comment back up at the beginning of this, when he said he was going to cut down trees.

[@psychotropnilachtan8869]

@@mariannesouza8326Im never wrong

[@CrazyTuco1]

@@psychotropnilachtan8869 Yes, you are. Very much so.

[@Pacjam123123]

Agree...trees, bushes, plants & weeds hold the dirt back

[@keithclark486]

You should dig a pond on your property And let their overflow fill your your pond Also a good way to stock your pond with their fish.

[@bobbrua8758]

thats what i was just thinking good idea

[@EdgewiseSJ]

I also had this thought. Would definitely require more than a shovel though.

[@Reviloj]

LOL. Stop being mean.

[@amaizingstuff6528]

O man making a pond it is a wonderfull ideea. You have free water in summer for crops and also testy fish to eat. If that was my property i 've dig that pond long time ago.!

[@amaizingstuff6528]

@@EdgewiseSJ you can dig a pond 6x7 m in about 2 weeks.

[@bobm7275]

It's amazing how little neighbours care but your handling of this was in a class by it's self. Great job, many people could learn a lot from this.

[@citticat2]

Yes I have a similar problem. I live on a hill and the neighbor above me decided to cut his trees to the ground, and now all this water is diverting to my property, so now I am stuck digging a trench to divert the water and from his bedroom widow he is watching this 70 yr old, without a care in the world.

[@eddyvideostar]

@@citticat2: You should dig for your neighbor's telephone number and give him some good phone.

[@evanthelegend7610]

You can build a little dam with a reservoir and make a little generator

[@IvanPlayStation4LiFe]

i was thinking the same thing is perfect for that

[@qrelectronicrepair1802]

Man I would trade my wife for a resource like this

[@chris2790]

@@qrelectronicrepair1802 what would she trade you for?

[@juic3357]

Ha you got it! Perfect idea

[@misterle7026]

@@johnperic6860 hell no, that's more energy than solar power. Search for Ram Hydro generators

[@theglowcloud2215]

This guy has never expressed an emotion beyond "nonplussed".

[@Skwertydogs]

I am enjoying your comment. "Nonplussed" is exactly what he is.

[@equinoxproject2284]

Don't exaggerate... the last two words he spoke had a decidedly sunny tone.

[@williamray5467]

So he dug that ditch by hand / shovel ? He apparently is not a person to anger, those emotions on the inside I think are better left there.

[@roberto3262]

Ahhhh..... ahhhhh.....

[@Reviloj]

@@roberto3262 LOL.

[@lazloholyfield9902]

The almighty youtube algorithm has lead me here, all hail the algorithm.

[@war5561]

All hail

[@angelajefferson6459]

Same here. But I found it interesting. I guess they know I like variety.

[@moonbeamjones9888]

All hail

[@jarleron4788]

The Algorithm is dead, long live the Algorithm !

[@waggtech8793]

Not so bad at x1.75 speed. So glad we got to see the other side!

[@chucky6367]

Wow you both did an epic job with the clearing and digging! 💯 Torrential rain aside, the little creek looks gorgeous meandering through the trees, it's certainly doing its job! Well done!

[@s10mafia61]

Man that's pretty awesome look how much life that water has brought to the land with all the trees and fresh growth close to the edges

[@arsonx1]

This is how the grand canyon was formed.

[@roadmonkeytj]

I'm pretty sure the grand canyon wasn't the result of a neighbor dispute ... Could be wrong Mother Nature can be cruel and care less about your feelings.

[@jake-fw8th]

@@johnperic6860 kinda water erosion over time

[@jewess8755]

Yeah by a flood not a river.

[@OnTheRailwayOfficial]

The Grand Canyon was formed by a river.

[@finders-keepers1518]

@@jewess8755 yes for sure. Lots of water over a short amount of time. Not what we're taught.

[@katherineayers5586]

As for clearing out those saplings, I would think their root systems stabilize the ground's dirt. Removing them may cause your property to slide off into the overflow trench.

[@peem1244]

Agreed. Trees bind the topsoil and prevent erosion. Judging by the water colour the topsoil is already being eroded. Saplings are the trees of tomorrow, and aren't we trying to rewild the planet to combat climate changes? If the saplings are doing no harm I would leave them, and maybe coppice them later. Although the ground seems wet, I'd be tempted to put in some check dams to slow the water rather than let it run off fast.

[@N3ur0m4nc3r]

He should also have installed small check dams to reduce the erosion, evident by the color of the water.

[@charlesswhitlock]

The trees will help prevent erosion. I would need them near the ditch

[@CSmith-oz4wp]

Have to hand it to you and your families effort for stabilizing that water way. That was a while ago so I hope all is still good and you placed your rock. Glad I watched your video. Thanks for sharing.

[@tim2applecell323]

Good work, you can move mountains with a wheelbarrow and a whole lot of stubborn. Proud of you. 👍😎

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. 🙂

[@dukebacher1216]

Great Job, Daniel! You have taken a miserable situation and made something truly beautiful. Sorry that it involved all the intense manual labor, but I must admit, it REALLY looks nice when it is in use. Again, Great Job!

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you Duke. I appreciate that.

[@Candoit2]

Lots of hard work I'm sure but you did a great job! I have a similar problem that is coming from a slope from neighbor's property and makes a pond around my house when it rains 3 or 4 inches of water. I'm 81 years old and doubt I could do it. Thanks for sharing!! God bless you.

[@pucklizard77504]

I am impressed at how well it works!!! Nice job!!

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. :)

[@JMANWiSS]

Stormwater management can be quite a satisfying thing to manage on a property, glad to see you took steps to do so here! I am also glad to hear you recognize the E word at the end, stormwater management without proper erosion control can often be worse than no stormwater management in the longrun.

[@SteveAddis]

Really great job! Like you, I have been working two years to get water managed building culvert wing walls, perimeter french drains, retaining walls, by hand like you. With your system, the meander, all the plant growth and cover has protected your soils well from erosion. Rip rap at the top and a few places will reduce velocity and erosion, even more. What is so cool about these water systems, is you can just stand back in a big rain, and watch them do the work 24/7. Great job! Thanks for posting.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you for your supportive comments and useful suggestions. 😎

[@LTD347]

It’s almost like you’ve created a tranquil stream.

[@Kevin_Kennelly]

Southeast PA here. I had an acre. Lay of the land was generally flat but with an incline towards the house for half of that acre. The problem was nowhere close to what you've shown us here. But it wasn't good. And I made it worse by installing a patio at the back of the house. So...using the dirt from the patio excavation I began building flower beds. Seven beds (about 2500 sq feet) went in along the one side of the property. Two swales (about 50 feet) diverted water from mid-field into the beds. . It took me seven years. But, from the street, it went back 270 feet. I was taking water from my neighbors property, into my drainage system, in 3 places along that length. The curb turned into Lake Erie. And today, a river birch sits happily, drinking, in the middle of that lake. . The basement had a french-drain/sump-pump. Water pressure outside the basement walls was so bad that it would permeate the cinderblock. And jets of water would shoot out of tiny holes in the block...OVER the drain, and onto the floor. That problem dried up. And, I tied the sump-drainage (along with roof-downspouts) into the overall system. Total cost was about 10 yards of soil and 6 tons of river-jacks. 20 years later...everything still works and the basement is dry.

[@danielherber9710]

Well done!

[@dianea3324]

Really impressed by this upload. I got a fair bit of education by looking up why it is necessary to have the drainage meader. It is very evident by the clarity of the water you achieved that goal in making it meader. Google search told me meader is meant to slow down the water so energy is spent on the bends so it won't cause escessive erosion. Not too old to learn something new every day. Thank you for sharing.

[@robwright5940]

There are parts of the world where neighbors would fight to keep that water.🙂

[@soil-play]

No kidding!

[@TheJenirainbow]

Duh! Too much water is just as bad as too little.

[@willmoore7582]

Consider planting sapling trees that consume lots of water, such as Willow etc. to help lower the saturation os the soil beside your waterway.

[@franklinhadick2866]

Did the willow thing with my dad 40 years ago on his property in South Plainfield New Jersey, dried the land up well.

[@nadiar.7788]

@@franklinhadick2866 was there a particular species you got? Just learning about them now.

[@donh3239]

@@nadiar.7788 Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica) grows fast and soaks up water well. Just don't grow it near underground drain pipes or supply lines.

[@meradu2]

@@donh3239 We have similar situation in Washington on a property I need to definitely do those trees there and clean the tranches

[@carrasco2011sc]

I wish we had much water here in COLORADO I would love to have a couple of willow trees in my yard

[@Hundo_Mo]

You know whats cool? This guys self started project is going to be a part of this environment for ages to come. It will feed the environment around it and give the wild life a life line. Thats pretty neat. Good job dude

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. Kind words indeed.

[@hiline3941]

Actually, it sounds like he may have drained some wetlands, so he actually may have destroyed some vital habitat. His actions will just lead to further issues downstream and likely future headcuts.

[@danielherber9710]

@@hiline3941 Drained some wetlands? Lol. It's a yard. The only thing draining here is a pond.

[@hiline3941]

You said the ground was soggy before, are soils gray?

[@danielherber9710]

@@hiline3941 Gray? Forgive my ignorance, but are you talking about color?

[@tla-lx3of]

Wow! Amazing job! 👏 The flow of water is fierce in some places; it was definitely needed! And to find spiders the size of your palm! 👀 GREAT job!

[@alisonmasters1489]

I wouldn’t be to hard on your neighbour...there is obviously a large amount of water running through your properties going buy the size of that pond.. I bet he/she had a swamp of a back garden before dealing with it and obviously no one had dealt with your garden until you came along...well done for all your hard work... thanks for posting...

[@dunruden9720]

by

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you for your comment. The neighboring property is that of a cabin rental community. I have never met the owner, and I'm not even certain if they reside in this area. You're correct in that they have a natural spring that runs through the complex, from down a ridge. I don't know when the pond was built, but I'm gathering that it's primary purpose was to manage flooding from that spring.

[@Sandwebbspider]

I see this about two years old .... and I see and hear you want to cut saplings..... FYI don’t cut the saplings ! They will provide protection with their roots to protect from water erosion !!! Thanks for sharing.

[@LureThosePixels]

Spillways from ponds or swales are intentionally made so that they flow over a flat and wide surface, to reduce erosion. You are going to experience a lot of erosion by funnelling and speeding up the water.

[@RepublicTX]

That's why the county told him to make it meander. Since this project was completed 7 years ago, I think it works just fine.

[@Cathy24601]

All you need is mini water mills and a way to store the energy for emergencies!

[@jeffshackleford3152]

Looks ripe for some hydroelectric power production....

[@justinlewis899]

Until the government finds out u have it then they will take it cuz they loosing money.

[@hycron1234]

@@justinlewis899 - What they don't know about... 😉

[@matthewlehman7937]

@@justinlewis899 how is the government losing money from people operating hydroelectric power facilities? Which government? State? Federal?

[@Handlebarrz]

@@matthewlehman7937 which ever isnt making its taxes

[@Hazed64]

@@Handlebarrz the government doesn't get any taxes from you involving your electricity so what's your point

[@martijnkosters9024]

Some say, he’s not Post10, but he is Post 10’s trenchdigging cousin!

[@mct8888]

Looks like a lot of work you did and it is paying off, appears to be working great!

[@TamimLB]

This guy took the entirety of the lockdown to explain this simple situation.

[@Isaacmantx]

and initiated MASSIVE erosion issues on his property.

[@TamimLB]

@@Isaacmantx not really bad erosion. I mean it's not like the Congo river has formed in his yard lol.

[@CVE42287]

@@Isaacmantx Yea that'll show itself 100 years down the line, better than the alternative

[@SkyValleyStuff]

this was posted in 2019 halfwit

[@TamimLB]

@@SkyValleyStuff lol

[@elysiandaydream]

I just saw your video from my recommendation list. I'm curious how your project is doing now. I hope we see an update soon. 🙏

[@danielherber9710]

I plan on making an update video in the Spring/Summer. Thank you for your interest. :)

[@Maxdubi]

@@danielherber9710 build a pond. That’s the best idea.

[@Tiffanysfarm]

Thank you for posting this video! ❤ My Dad shared it with me since we are trying to manage a stream of water that flows through our property. You really did a fantastic job with this project!

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. :)

[@jamesproudlove1527]

I take my hat off to you for the work you put into digging the trench for the drainage of water from your property. It paid off big time!

[@Wedge53]

You will soon need to manage the erosion. "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" Newton's Third Law

[@LL-wr5gq]

Hats off to your strong back and determination. Old school techniques; are very affordable and keep you in top physical condition. Also keep the majority of the saplings avoid erosion the way nature intended.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you for your kind words, and keen observations.

[@odeb7924]

That's amazing! I can't believe how long that trench is. Some people WHINE and some people just do it!

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you.

[@normbograham]

In NY, there were houses on a hillside. a house diverted water from their basement, and the neighbors house's basement flooded. So, they diverted the water. And the next house had a basement flood. Then the next house , the lady was at a nursing home, when they opened the door, found there was 5' of water in her basement. They put the house up for sale in a fire-sale situation, and the buyer, had a backhoe, and diverted the water down the hill to the road. At that point it was near a stream flowing across the road, the town had to fix it. When it comes to water, everyone diverted, and it became their neighbors problem. Jokes on the creditors, the buyer was her grandson, whom knew why the water was in the basement. And with a backhoe, easily made 80,000 by removing the water situation.

[@danielherber9710]

Wow!

[@erichemard7066]

Ahhh the typical screw your neighbor scenario. I totally feel your pain bro. A year ago I bought a 7 acre homestead. The land owners next to me had dug some horse ponds some several years back expecting the land (my land) would always remain vacant.They diverted all the run off down hill with all abandonment. Having moved onto the homestead, the first major shower I encountered had produced some significant watershed; turning 3 of my 7 acres into a lake 1’ deep. I was stuck on my property for 4 days until the water finally subsided. After experiencing being land locked on my own island, I took and cleared the undergrowth and discovered that there was a seasonal creek that runs through my property that my neighbors had dammed off in order to retain water in one of the ponds. So as a good neighbor, I removed the dam which by the way...was on my property and opened the creek channel back up ( he wasn’t happy) I had to dig a 600’ swale to divert all the run off back to the old creek channel. No here’s where it got crazy...the old creek had filled in over the years and when I laid in driveway in, it crossed over the old creek bed. So I had to dig out another 900’ of swale and installed 40’ of culvert to divert all of the run off to another creek. It was a freaking nightmare.

[@danielherber9710]

Wow. That is crazy. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@erichemard7066]

Daniel Herber no worries bro. After seeing your vid, I remember what that experience was like. I was fortunate enough to have the equipment available to get the job done. After seeing the manual labor you and your wife put into your property all I have to say is hats off to the both of you 👏👏👏. That’s determination anyone can respect!

[@danielherber9710]

Much appreciated.

[@triciap1874]

That's a lesson learned from your story. I will now always ask about water drainage before a purchase of land (and advise others to do so)

[@erichemard7066]

@@triciap1874 get a GIS certified topography map of the location your interested in. You can do this through the .gov website. This will tell you all you need to know by looking at the lay lines. From here you can check the credibility of the seller by asking questions about drainage. I had to learn the hard way, but thankfully i had the equipment to dig myself out (no pun intended). Being that this was a completely wooded area before and there was no previous residence by the owner, even if i had asked about drainage, he wouldnt have been able to give me an honest answer. It just goes to show the nerve of some people to take it upon themselves to claim what is not theirs. If it wasnt for the pond and the dip shit neighbor, the watershed would’ve been just fine.

[@zmac7777]

Impressive!!! I love stuff like this, and obviously many others do too. You said 2 months to complete the project. As you walked the entire length of the trench, it looks like it might have taken 2 years using hand tools and working alone. Congrats on a job well done.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. :)

[@Butterfly-iz3nm]

I live in the suburbs of Detroit Mich and I think that is a beautiful little "river" you have running thru your property. I could sit back and drink a beer and watch it flow every day after work and finally get to relax. Good job!

[@1stupidfish]

I love how things you're not even looking for a show up. Very nice work. I've had to do one or two of these in my life as well.

[@Agrillot6]

I have my neighbors sump pump drainage coming straight to my property and I thought that was bad! Kudos to you, and my sympathies.

[@williamtolliv3549]

Contact your city code enforcement. Your neighbor has to manage their water on there own property

[@weekendhomeprojects]

When you said biblical levels of rain fall I knew exactly when this video was posted without knowing when this video was posted.

[@user-rv3hl3co6i]

Wow!!! Unbelievable how much work you did that's crazy Hats off to you You did a great job

[@johnsmart964]

That is a very interesting and informative video, thank you very much for spending your time to bring it to us.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. I'm glad that you got some value from it.

[@anthonysigman6138]

The location that you stopped digging at the head of the overflow. Where the water drops off, I would highly suggest you fill some rocks or rip rap in there. Over time that hard drop is going to erode its way upwards towards the pond. This eventually could compromise the dam and could even be a liability for yourself for digging it out.

[@CoyoteCrossingSanctuary]

Thank you! We just bought land and I feel like I’m living in a swamp, I don’t cry but our water issues almost brought me to tears. My husband did something similar in an emergency situation a few weeks ago. I wonder if our could be covered with something? Rock or something... it’s best our house.

[@lvthud]

Do a search on here for French Drain.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Just use corrugated field tile...works better than a french drain and it's cheaper by far!

[@jasond.606]

Hey Daniel . Small world my friend , I use to live on Fox Way many years ago . It's the first right as soon as you go over the little concrete bridge . I new pretty much where you were at when you said waldens creek . I use to live " right on " Waldens Creek , the creek was probably 30 - 40 feet at the most out my back door . I remember feeding the little catfish , trout and perch all the time . Never fished them , just fed them . When I saw the amount of water you had running through your property the first thing I thought was what I could do with that amount of water flow . If it would be continuous and year round I would use it to make my own power . Who knows , we might even know the same people back there . I paid my dues too my friend when I cleared out about 100 feet or more of creek bank , but it was well worth it when I was done . Good job on what you did Daniel .

[@StereoSpace]

You should add some cross structures on the channel as it descends the hill to slow the water velocity. Fast moving water is what you want to avoid, not encourage. Fast water = erosion. Also, the more constricted the channel, the faster the water has to move. A somewhat wider meandering channel that is dropping down a series of steps is what your design goal should be.

[@mikecorrado4971]

You’ve done a massive amount of work. You should feel very satisfied that it works so well! 👏

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you Mike. 😎👍

[@jonathankraycar6394]

@@danielherber9710 you have so much water flow you could make a ton of hydro electric power. Check out the DIY videos on KZbin... You’ll save money on electricity and probably get paid by you tube when 150k people watch your video

[@simardssurveillancesystems8209]

Simply Amazing...All Done By Hand With A Shovel & Spade...

[@ericpritz1933]

Thanks for the clip. Dealing with a similar problem, as our yard is at the base of a multi-property natural swale.

[@martyrawdog]

so want you do

[@donmulder8061]

That's quite a bit of water flow. Downhill water flow is generally captured under what is commonly called the Common Enemy Rule where if your neighbor made changes that resulted in damages to your property you can sue for damages or to have him reverse the change but generally the courts see the lower land owner as both responsible and free to manage downhill water flow onto their land however they want within their boundary. You handled this in an impressive manner. My situation is a little different. We bought a new build home on 4 rural acres and when the ten year old house next door sold, the new owners started coming on our lot in our wooded area where there is an intermittent stream. After a year I discovered they were looking for the buried gutter pipes the original neighbor had buried on our land years ago before anyone lived here and were clearly not going to tell me. When I saw them with a contractor on our lot one morning I went out and checked right after they left but a gutter pipe had been cleared and was now visibly daylighting into our stream. I had to ask them to move that pipe and one other that I searched for myself and located before they had adverse possession of my land, which appears to have been their objective in being so surreptitious. They of course delayed moving them so I offered them permission in writing to leave the first one but they refused to accept it. And so I had to move them myself onto their lot. I paid a professional drainage company to do it and had pop up drains installed for them free of charge. I did get permission from them before entering their lot to do that but those pipes needed to go so I didn't lose title to that part of my land. I have not seen them checking those pop ups once in the past year and the drainage guy checked the neighbors downspouts for him when he installed the pop ups and he said they have a lot of water around the foundation. I sure do hope they aren't setting me up for some kind of lawsuit or have additional pipes buried on my lot as I know they covet this part of my property.

[@grilnam9945]

3:10 if you came here just for the water flow

[@hurricanekatrina1187]

Gril Nam a hero

[@hellgezeren2511]

I came here to hear "uh" 100 times.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

I need to pee now for some reason.

[@TheInappropriate1]

Hi from Australia! Great job. Good to know you are getting in some rocks to slow the water down as over time the erosion from the water could badly damage your property. Good luck mate! I

[@ellenrosegaynor8063]

I've dug rainfall trenches since 1958 in one place or another & can say it is very satisfying when properly accomplished.

[@sixhundredandfive7123]

My old nickname. And reminds me of working in Upstate N.Y. Cheers, I can only imagine how beautiful that sounds in person.

[@los-one]

Kudos to YOU, good man! You’re the real deal when it comes to hard work achievement. Bless your wife too! Thanks for posting this mammoth task as a completed job. I know now that anything is possible if I put my mind to it. 👍🏽. God bless your family. ✌🏽

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you.

[@trygveevensen171]

This is ridiculously satisfying, thanks

[@yogi2436]

I have seen many drains and have made what I thought was a big one by hand on my BUT THIS IS THE BEST , IT''S A BEAUTY, WELL DONE,!!

[@pitchblackscatpack8229]

Damn! That’s a lot of hard work digging by hand. Love seeing someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

[@johnharvey892]

You are a hop skip and a jump away from me. I live in Red Bank. My house is the first flat yard at the bottom of a hill. My backyard is a swamp right now. I'm trying to dig a trench in basically chocolate pudding to get the water to drain. The problem is my yard is so flat and the ground is so saturated. I'm not seeing the results that I want to see. I am doing my best to dig deeper but right now the ground just falls in on itself. Not to mention I'm sinking to my knees in mud. Your video is a inspiration. I have the same tools.

[@danielherber9710]

I was in brown soup initially as well. You may have to wait until things dry up a tad. Have fun with all of the interesting critters that you'll likely encounter. They keep the job interesting. 😄

[@englishruraldoggynerd]

I hope that you get everything sorted! From a reader in the U.K. 😋👍🏻

[@mariafinley2362]

Look into a rain garden design.

[@mickeyphillips6603]

So the neighbor’s attitude was ‘as long as we get what we want, who cares about anyone else’?? Nice neighbors.

[@Jnastyzzz]

Did a job recently were bad neighbor had been there with no neighborhood around him for 42 years. Lead to the destruction of 13 backyards that flooded during the rain. City tried to make him pay only to findout that he had legal permits from 15 years back. All legal. And he was retired and only income was social security at $590 something a month.

[@jamesmorton8431]

It’s against the law to let your overflow go onto a neighbor’s property

[@danielherber9710]

@@jamesmorton8431 According to the County inspector, here in Tennessee, it is not illegal.

[@stevepettersen3283]

I'm guessing the neighbors won't be invited to any of his barbeques.

[@JanieJane6149]

@@stevepettersen3283 haaaa 👏👏👏

[@MNWarthogFan]

Job well done. I did something similar years ago on a previous property, but NOWHERE NEAR the scale that you have done. Kudos to you.

[@danielherber9710]

Appreciate it. 👍

[@richpoor2855]

Well done! I can imagine how much cleaner it is now.

[@Kinghavs]

I always wanted to work on something like this.. i use to try to dig trenches when i was a kid to control water during rainstorms.. cool

[@darinwestcott9041]

Ever thought of installing a micro hydro water system? That creek would give you tons of power

[@danielherber9710]

I have, but the water only moves rapidly after heavy rainfall.

[@daryenmirabal2656]

Use PVC pipe to get the Desired flow !!!!!

[@koltonkinlicheene2297]

@@danielherber9710 build a dam

[@islandlady777]

Awesome job, hard work and ingenuity. My property has washes. I’m formulating a plan to manage and catchment system. I’ve got to stop the erosion and create an ingress into the property. There are several washes, must us 4 we to get into the property. If it’s been raining I’m stuck on the property until it dries out a bit. I welcome ideas for resolving my problems with washes and runoff. Thank you

[@VgniK88]

That’s mad who knew watching flowing water would be so calming ..

[@omniomega1]

Good luck sir, I’m a new home owner and I’m doing this too

[@stihlnz]

This is like saying that no matter how much water falls in your watershed, the person upstream is always responsible. Its not an emergency overflow ..its a stream, its a natural watercourse.

[@slowallin3144]

This guy is standing out there with an umbrella, in the rain, acting like the neighbors pond is creating all this water and the neighbors are deliberately flooding his property.

[@Mzzipperme]

Very impressive. I came to this video because I am trying to find a solution for my much much smaller water flooding issue. I need to get a small portion of my yard sloped properly so the water does not run onto my patio. I knew that some of my water problem was the need for gutters on my house. Those are installed and now I need to get rid of the entry area around my patio taken care of. I wish I could pick your brain Daniel for help.

[@danielherber9710]

It sounds like some professional excavating may be in order. They can come in and dig, using specialized equipment, and slope the ground in a way that encourages water movement away from the house. Also, they can install french drains in the process. Gutters that are operating as designed are a must.🙂

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Just use corrugated field tile. Cheaper and easier.

[@HECKProductionsVids]

We’re considering buying a lot that has a pond-fed stream very similar to yours. The pond is on an adjacent property and the stream flows right where the house would go. So we’re going to have to divert the stream. You’re amazing for doing all that work! I’ll be calling an excavator company.

[@adambrown3918]

Great job! Sorry I'm late. It's 2021. Hopefully you got the drainage rock in and everything is holding up well. :)

[@akocbibbo]

I really wish you would have managed the water flow, slowing it down and having a pond here and there...I would love to have my own property with a water course running through it...good job on managing the heavy rain water flows

[@wesseljordaan7781]

Awesome job Daniel well done; we have just had devastating floods in Durban, South Africa with just under 500 people losing their lives(houses collapsed and mudslides), I had damage from my neighbour's water coming through my property so I will need to do a project to stop the water but it will have to start in their properties, they have no control of their water its all directed to us.

[@N3ur0m4nc3r]

For future reference; you should absolutely not clear the saplings they are essential to maintaining the soil around the banks of the trench. You should also install intermittent check dams throughout the trench. this will reduce the turbulent flow, allow for greater penetration of the water into the water table and minimize sediment and soil loss. Still allowing water to flow through the trench.

[@skillmeup53]

Slow the water flow down or you will have erosion problems.

[@darthrevan2063]

Or just use a pvc pipe and not have the water come into contact with the dirt.

[@scootergrant8683]

@@darthrevan2063 But then you limit flow producing a large flood at the pipe's entry. Also knowing anything in nature, it will work its way around the pipe. If the inlet for the pipe is at the pond's overflow, then all it needs is too much water than it can carry and the overflow will work a route around the pipe. Also P.V.C pipe isn't cheap for such a length as that ditch never mind even considering such a large required diameter.

[@wolvreigns]

@@darthrevan2063 also water cannot collect from other places.

[@gravelydon7072]

@@scootergrant8683 Actually, a combination of both would be best. Don't know what the difference in elevation is but at the rate the water is moving, looks like a good bit. So a pipe to carry some which could be used for power production and a ditch for carrying off excess. 50 ft of head would give enough power in a 2" pipe to make it worthwhile. 20 PSI can do usable work.

[@jacksimper5725]

One man digging that lot out needs credit . I would have hired a backhoe myself and then stated to plant saplings to line the bank to hold back erosion

[@terencemacsweeney3667]

You did good & well done. Protect your outfall on your side of the road, make sure it does not get blocked. That's precious.

[@symcardnel1741]

I pray no one (especially a beaver) looses a soccer, volley or beach ball in this mans trench!!!

[@myshoreline2]

Wow, you did a fantastic job !! Just fantastic !! I desperately need a ditch, and a Y on my property. Unfortunately I am a senior citizen woman living in a rural area, no help. . My property is like a wet sponge. I have neighbors run off who do have ditches flowing into my yard. I had ditches, but not maintained, And people have bought property near me, and We put up a little fence to keep them on their property, and our pets on ours. We have had a few things stolen, like bicycles, battery, tire from ride mower, and gasoline. The fence has slowed this activity down, with cameras, and locks. Then they have built a home up on hill using heavy equipment leveling ground bringing dirt in making that hill flat for their home, and the water flows straight down to my driveWay, and home like a small spring. It takes quite awhile to dry out. I wish that I could do what you have done. It is just a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing...🌷

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. I'm sorry that you are finding yourself in a similar situation. 😐

[@gnucl]

I really like this kind of landscape. Greetings from Chile.

[@danielherber9710]

Hola 🇨🇱

[@philipthoreau3590]

What a fantastic opportunity for your own pond and a hydro overflow. You are very lucky to have this stream and the lie of the land looks tailor made for dam using those rocks you mentioned. Look forward to seeing you develop it.

[@kevlar_87]

Thanks for sharing 🙂. Maybe think about swales and or ponds and keep it soaking into the ground after the rain. If not the erosion will begin to cause new problems.

[@stevescabin5441]

Great job! I like the idea someone had of making your own pond!

[@t-bonebassmaster5191]

I would build me a nice pond down stream and benefit from that water.

[@denverbasshead]

Either a pond or a micro hydro generator

[@newdogatplay]

@@denverbasshead both

[@denverbasshead]

@@newdogatplay you could make multiple ponds for hydro generation

[@loganthesaint]

And watch his neighbor get mad 😂

[@simpletruth9977]

Yep he's missing out on a great pond on his property.

[@Rickimusic]

Caveat emptor. The neighbor and the State/County are using the property as a dump site but that should have been obvious before you bought. You have no remedy with the neighbor because, pond or not, that water would come to your patch either way. AAMOF, the pond may be helping to buffer how much water you do get. Could the dam fail would be my concern as well as how much water is sitting up there. What is on the deed re the County would be interesting to know. Sadly, you have a 4' deep liability, if someone falls in. Riprap and mandatory fabric underneath will push the water out of the trench and you will be right back to a swamp again. There are many things you could do but money puts the brakes on everything. Good luck and stay safe.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you for your input. That's some insightful analysis.

[@cadfael4598]

Daniel, over time the stream gradient will naturally cut back upslope as nature tries to flatten things and the action of water will erode the stream Bed back towards the pond, eventually creating a few small waterfalls! The reason for including meanders is to slow the velocity of water, but this can also cause other effects. On a meander, the highest velocities are on the outside of the curve and therefore the “cut bank” as it is called will erode the bank on that side of the stream. Sediment tends to deposit on the inside of the curve where velocities are lower, and so overtime the meander migrates downstream as the bed depth migrates upstream. Leaving roots in place will help to stabilise and maintain the stream profile.

[@Don.Challenger]

Tremendous effort there Daniel (and your capable wife) good luck and health in your surely prosperous future.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. 😊

[@GotoHere]

It would have been neighborly of the neighbor to help with the labor.

[@spinningchurro]

Robert Frost over here.

[@phi9249]

i would suggest to keeps as many of the saplings as you can for now and thin them as necessary. They will hold the banks of your channel together.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Nice thing about living in the Texas Panhandle is that you very rarely have flooding or water soaked ground and you also do not have to worry about digging through tree roots unless you are digging along a creek. Speaking of tree roots, unless there is a pressing need to remove the saplings, do not remove them. Those roots that gave you so much problems while digging will help prevent erosion; specially if the water flow is sufficient to overflow the top of the trench.

[@danielherber9710]

Thank you. Great comment.

[@conniegirard1942]

Insane amount of work! Well done!