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Carla’s Niche
Avalon Journal
Copyright © 2006 L/L Research
Feb 27, 2005
LoneBear’s Log
Creek Erosion Problems
Work continues slowly due to excessive rain and snow. The melt from the 16 inches of snow a month ago causes some considerable erosion near the Sumai site. The right bank lost about 4 feet of dirt, and some of the trees fell into the stream during the flooding.
We had not planned to do much work on the stream for erosion control until later in the year when the stream dried up, but with the rain (and more on the way), this priority may have to change or we might not have a Sumai site by summer.
Extending Road/Stream Access
Started some erosion control.
Step 1: getting in to and across the stream with the backhoe.
Pulled all the stone out from the center of the creek, and built stone ramps on either side of the low and wide section of the stream. With this width, the water is only 6 inches deep at any point.
Used to rock to create access ramps from the bank into the creek, and up the other side. (These also double as erosion control in this area, protecting the banks from further erosion.)
With the stone access ramps, I can now get the backhoe right into the stream. Next step is to go upstream from here to the erosion area, and shift all the stone in the middle to the bank to act as a barrier against further erosion. We can use the fill dirt from the Sumai site excavation to backfill behind the stone bank to recover the lost sections and firm up the tree roots.
Clearing Project
Stan and Ollie working hard getting the last of the scrub brush at the Sumai site reduced to wood chips, but ran out of gas.
Still another big pile to chip at the barn site, and more coming as access road work continues.
Rain and snow expected again this evening, which will prevent further work until things dry out again.
Solar Array/Shed
Last but not least, got the solar array mount almost finished.
Not seen: 640 pounds of Quikcrete holding a 4x4 post in place. We placed the panels at a 10-foot height to protect the panels from animals. The fence surrounding the property is not in good shape, and neighboring cattle occasionally grace the property with their presence.
We will be adding guy lines to the post to firm it up (as it is supposed to be a steel post, but we were unable to obtain one of the necessary length).
Four 165-watt Photowatt panels will be mounted here, sending 660 watts/hour of sunlight to the batteries. (This means no more hauling the batteries in to town to be recharged when they run low—providing the sun every comes out!)
The foundation of the shed can be glimpsed at the bottom of the photo, which will house the batteries, inverter and solar chargers.
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