We are having a bit of a problem. We have a creek/ditch that runs through the property. When we bought the property the realtor (and owner) told us the ditch only has water in it when it rains. After almost 12 years and 2 droughts, I have yet to see it dry. So I say it is a creek (it has minnows in it the summer) and not a ditch. Any way....
This creek comes down from the hills, runs through the neighbor's property before it comes to ours (his property is behind ours). We are having the opposite problem that most creek owners do. It isn't stealing our land it keeps bring us more. We have to clean it out quite a bit because it will fill up with sand/gravel/silt. I've had people in 3 times to do our section and try to keep up with it with the loader on the tractor for what I can. The neighbor has always been good about keeping their section cleaned out too - at least until the last year or so. There is probably a 250 - 300' section that is completely filled with sand/dirt/trees to the point that the creek is completely clogged. The water is continuing to run except now it is coming out of its banks and running down through our yard. Completely flooding our yard. It is really tearing the ground up and the worst part is, it is running across our leach bed. We have had a continuous supply of water running out of the perimeter drain now for about the last 3 weeks or so and I've never seen water run out of it before. The water is then filling the front road ditch and actually running over the road. Proably 4 - 6" deep.
I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet to see what if any thing he is going to do. Just trying to get my game plan together. I have my tractor and he has his 36 HP Long, but neither of us have a hoe. If I did, I would already be out there doing something permission or not. We have had a pretty good relationship so don't want to ruin it but don't want to ruin my leach bed either. With the new laws who knows what type of new system we would have to put it.
Thoughts on how to approach this with the neighbor?
This creek comes down from the hills, runs through the neighbor's property before it comes to ours (his property is behind ours). We are having the opposite problem that most creek owners do. It isn't stealing our land it keeps bring us more. We have to clean it out quite a bit because it will fill up with sand/gravel/silt. I've had people in 3 times to do our section and try to keep up with it with the loader on the tractor for what I can. The neighbor has always been good about keeping their section cleaned out too - at least until the last year or so. There is probably a 250 - 300' section that is completely filled with sand/dirt/trees to the point that the creek is completely clogged. The water is continuing to run except now it is coming out of its banks and running down through our yard. Completely flooding our yard. It is really tearing the ground up and the worst part is, it is running across our leach bed. We have had a continuous supply of water running out of the perimeter drain now for about the last 3 weeks or so and I've never seen water run out of it before. The water is then filling the front road ditch and actually running over the road. Proably 4 - 6" deep.
I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet to see what if any thing he is going to do. Just trying to get my game plan together. I have my tractor and he has his 36 HP Long, but neither of us have a hoe. If I did, I would already be out there doing something permission or not. We have had a pretty good relationship so don't want to ruin it but don't want to ruin my leach bed either. With the new laws who knows what type of new system we would have to put it.
Thoughts on how to approach this with the neighbor?