Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Ask Aldeer, Pond Dam Edition

So here’s the problem: I’ve got a perfectly good newer pond dam less than 50 yds wide, that’s been totally rebuilt with a new drain. Unfortunately, it’s only about 7 feet wide on top and I might trust my loaded tractor @10k going over the top. Up until now only side by sides and 4 wheelers have been used to transit, but I need to be able to get a Cement Truck over it with multiple passes. It’s my only route option. How much is it going to cost me to widen on the pond side and strengthen to support my build project vehicles? If anyone can spitball a good estimate or knows of someone who could, please sing out. Job is in Pike County. Thanks!

Can you not lay driving boards down for big vehicles on it? 2x10 should be wide enough, 2x12 would be better.

Width is not the only issue. I don’t think it can handle the weight.

Also, keep in mind, the excavator that built the dam, spent a lot of time on the dam. Its probably stronger than you think.

You could if its not to far, I do not know the costs or how it fits together but ask. Can you just pump hose the concrete you need over from the truck? I've seen them pump concrete a pretty long distance at different job sites.

Too far to pump? Redimix driver probably gonna say no way to driving across it.

I think it's probably too far l. Atleast 100-125 yards horizontal and about 20-25 in elevation from the closet point across the pond to build site.

A 250 excavator weighs about 54,000 lbs. A loaded out concrete truck is around 66,000 - 69,000 lbs. Biggest difference is that tracked equipment distributes the weight evenly across a significantly larger surface area (both length of area and width) thus producing significantly less ground pressure, than wheeled vehicles do, so simply comparing weights is an incorrect way to look at it. Your problem IMO is going to be getting adequate compaction of what you bring in. I'd want at least 11-12' of drivable width on top for the truck which will equate to quite a bit of additional dirt and earthwork.

It can handle the weight, if it was built correctly and compacted in lifts. If it is holding water now then it is tight enough. I would not worry about it, if you need to make it a little wider, then add dirt to the top and grade it off, that will give you the extra foot or 2 you need to get the concrete trucks across it.

Man, you're in a pickle. Any chance you could just get a dozer and push a secondary road around the non dam end of your pond to where you need to be? You can possibly get 150 yards out of a good strong line pump but that's absolute max distance and you're going to have to run a really high slump on your mud to be able to flow it that distance. It's going basically be self leveling concrete at that point. What exactly are you trying to pour? How many yards are you needing for the pour?

Don't know what your project is but am guessing if you need this kind of access across your dam now, then you will also need it in the future. So it sounds like you just need to widen your dam road and ensure they make it strong enough for what you need now and anything you might want in the future. Only other option is to put in a road that crosses below your dam. Not sure which would be less expensive. At least your dam is relatively new and not covered with trees.

If its not a terribly large amount or too complicated, mix on site could be an option?

Georgia buggy. Had to use one years ago at the lake to pour a 300 foot side walk.

If a pumper can't reach it rent a couple of concrete buggies or a bucket on a tractor.

I would not take a concrete truck across a pond dam. Don’t you get a driver to do that any way

Sounds like a dam problem to me 😁

How much are you pouring? I would really think about renting a concrete bucket and excavator. Fill up the bucket and walk it to the site. 5 yards at a time. I absolutely would not drive a concrete truck across a dam that size. A weak spot at the top and she’s leaning and stuck and you got a mess if it don’t flip. And someone possibly dying of it does.

You think you have a problem now. Get a concrete truck stuck on a pond dam. And you find out what an expensive mess is.

The proposed project is a house build, foundation, driveway, etc. It s just an idea right now and trying to see if it’s feasible. Below the dam drain is steep and swampy and within a few feet of property line. The feeder stream for the pond is fairly significant and enters through a very boggy drain much wider than the pond dam end.
Yes quite the pickle! It would be expensive enough with just all the concrete ( if I could get it there). My initial thoughts were no way it was going to be close to a small cost over run to our build plans, But, my wife insisted I look into it further before ruling it out. Guess who picked this house build location…not me! Anyway, I have no experience with excavation and pond dams, but a pretty good understanding of soil compaction and load bearing capabilities. After all, I used land C130s in some pretty austere places, deserts, dirt roads, salt flats and dry lake beds to name a few. If you think getting a concrete truck stuck on a dam is expensive and a headache, just think about sticking a C130 in the middle of no where.

So your main driveway and access to your home will be over the pond dam. I would want my main road able to handle large dump trucks/cement trucks without any concern going forward. If that is not feasible cost wise, then I would go back to your original site.