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CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default Walkway over wetland

I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


Thanks,


CL Gilbert
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Don Phillipson
 
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Default

"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote in message
news
What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.


If you have the timber available (especially cedar) you
could build a corduroy road, just logs trimmed of branches
and cut to road width e.g. 6 ft., laid on the swamp surface
and jammed tightly enough together that each log keeps
the neighbours in place. It would be uncomfortable to
walk on, and would not avoid wet feet, but is cheapest
and would permit you to push a wheelbarrow etc.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


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Norminn
 
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CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert wrote:
I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running north
to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


Thanks,


CL Gilbert


Marine construction? Here in Florida, there are lots of walkways built
over marshy or swampy areas. Without means of access to float in a
barge, perhaps a general contractor. If a general can't do it, they
certainly might refer you. Or call local building dept and ask them;
may need permits.

  #4   Report Post  
Duane Bozarth
 
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Default

"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote:

I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?

Thanks,

CL Gilbert


Is this a classified wetlands? If so, you may have a problem doing
anything. If not, a cheaper alternative might be to bring in some fill
and simply raise a pathway through...depends on how deep and mucky it
actually is, but could be significantly cheaper than builing a fully
supported walkway.
  #5   Report Post  
Edwin Pawlowski
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote in message
What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the way
to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo. This is
probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


I'd try a deck builder. You may want to check if there are any regulations
abut building around the marsh if it is deemed to be "wetlands". Even though
it is your property there may be some limits to what you can do.




  #6   Report Post  
CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default




Is this a classified wetlands? If so, you may have a problem doing
anything. If not, a cheaper alternative might be to bring in some fill
and simply raise a pathway through...depends on how deep and mucky it
actually is, but could be significantly cheaper than builing a fully
supported walkway.


I wanted the walkway for the looks of it. Also want to be sure the
water flow is not impeedes as I ot enough water pumping out of my
basement as it is :P

Im not sure if its classified as wetlands. Its really not that big so I
doubt it. its just a small path that the water takes mainly after
rains, but also continuously. If it is wetlands and they try to
restrict what I can do, thats cool to so long as they want to give me a
property tax break!


--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door() into
the sheepfold{}, but climbeth up some other *way, the same is a thief
and a robber."

GnuPG Key Fingerprint:
82A6 8893 C2A1 F64E A9AD 19AE 55B2 4CD7 80D2 0A2D
  #7   Report Post  
CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default

Red Cloud© wrote:
On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 09:56:20 -0400, "CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert"
wrote:


I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


Thanks,


CL Gilbert



Are you sure this isn't a failed septic system?

rusty redcloud


Well, it is helped to stay wet by the water pumped out of my and my 2
neighbors basements. But no, its where the water flows. I can trace it
to the street in front of my house, and follow the path further if i was
patient enough. The water table is high in my area but the homes are
new and no septic systems are present. Some of the older homes may have
them though.

Its a stream, but the land gets flat toward the back of my house so it
spreads out and the ground is kind of marshy.




--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door() into
the sheepfold{}, but climbeth up some other *way, the same is a thief
and a robber."

GnuPG Key Fingerprint:
82A6 8893 C2A1 F64E A9AD 19AE 55B2 4CD7 80D2 0A2D
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CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote in message

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the way
to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo. This is
probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?



I'd try a deck builder. You may want to check if there are any regulations
abut building around the marsh if it is deemed to be "wetlands". Even though
it is your property there may be some limits to what you can do.



I already know cutting trees down is off limits. Unless they have the
ash borer. So could be some regulations. I don't intend to disturb the
flow though. Ill check with the City.

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door() into
the sheepfold{}, but climbeth up some other *way, the same is a thief
and a robber."

GnuPG Key Fingerprint:
82A6 8893 C2A1 F64E A9AD 19AE 55B2 4CD7 80D2 0A2D
  #9   Report Post  
Vic Dura
 
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Default

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:18:07 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote Re Walkway over wetland:

"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote:

I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?

Thanks,

CL Gilbert


Is this a classified wetlands? If so, you may have a problem doing
anything.


Really. If it is, or can be, classified as wetland; start thinking in
terms of applying for (but not getting) permits from the Army Corps of
Engineers, the EPA and probably state agencies as well.

The last time I read anything about "wet land" designations, the
Supreme's were being pretty liberal and confiscatory about it. If you
spit on the ground and it takes more than 30-seconds to dry. Then it's
a wet land.

If not, a cheaper alternative might be to bring in some fill
and simply raise a pathway through...depends on how deep and mucky it
actually is, but could be significantly cheaper than builing a fully
supported walkway.


Seriously though, Duane has a good suggestion there.
--
To email me directly, remove CLUTTER.
  #10   Report Post  
k
 
Posts: n/a
Default


I wanted the walkway for the looks of it. Also want to be sure the
water flow is not impeedes as I ot enough water pumping out of my basement
as it is :P

Im not sure if its classified as wetlands. Its really not that big so I
doubt it. its just a small path that the water takes mainly after rains,
but also continuously. If it is wetlands and they try to restrict what I
can do, thats cool to so long as they want to give me a property tax
break!

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert


My first thought seeing your post was that such a walkway could really look
nice. Depending on the size of your town, you may or may not have to deal
with a separate wetlands dept, or it could be another job for the zoning
folks. At any rate, you should be able to find the wetlands regs for your
area on the net. I really doubt that an elevated walkway over a vernal
stream would be a prohibited activity, and the fact that the walkway would
allow you access to more of your own property would likely void the
prohibition on such a small lot. If the actual waterway part isn't that
big, you'll be best off just spanning it anyhow, so for that part of your
walk you'd need a rigid structure (ie, a bridge). If you get grief, tell
them it's a dock, because docks are allowed. In your case, it would be two
docks; one from each side.

good luck,
k

As to your question - I'd guess a landscaper might do better than a deck
builder for this application. Just ask around.




  #11   Report Post  
I R Baboon
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote in message
...
Red Cloud© wrote:
On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 09:56:20 -0400, "CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert"
wrote:


I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


Thanks,


CL Gilbert



Are you sure this isn't a failed septic system?

rusty redcloud


Well, it is helped to stay wet by the water pumped out of my and my 2
neighbors basements. But no, its where the water flows. I can trace it
to the street in front of my house, and follow the path further if i was
patient enough. The water table is high in my area but the homes are
new and no septic systems are present. Some of the older homes may have
them though.

Its a stream, but the land gets flat toward the back of my house so it
spreads out and the ground is kind of marshy.




--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door() into
the sheepfold{}, but climbeth up some other *way, the same is a thief
and a robber."

Why not bring in fill to make the stream a managable size and just span
right over it


  #12   Report Post  
Duane Bozarth
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Vic Dura wrote:

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:18:07 -0500, Duane Bozarth
wrote Re Walkway over wetland:

"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote:

I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?

Thanks,

CL Gilbert


Is this a classified wetlands? If so, you may have a problem doing
anything.


Really. If it is, or can be, classified as wetland; start thinking in
terms of applying for (but not getting) permits from the Army Corps of
Engineers, the EPA and probably state agencies as well.

The last time I read anything about "wet land" designations, the
Supreme's were being pretty liberal and confiscatory about it. If you
spit on the ground and it takes more than 30-seconds to dry. Then it's
a wet land.

If not, a cheaper alternative might be to bring in some fill
and simply raise a pathway through...depends on how deep and mucky it
actually is, but could be significantly cheaper than builing a fully
supported walkway.


Seriously though, Duane has a good suggestion there.


And, my thought would be to only build a decking or bridge over a low
spot as someone else mentioned. And if you were to use a coarse sand or
some gravel it would percolate water and it wouldn't be difficult to add
some small drainage culverts if needed...I could envision something
looking pretty nice, actually.
  #15   Report Post  
CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default

I R Baboon wrote:
"CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" wrote in message
...

Red Cloud© wrote:

On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 09:56:20 -0400, "CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert"
wrote:



I have a home on 3/4 acre. The house is at north end of the property.
The rest is mostly grass. Except I have a small stream running
north to south just west of my house on my property. This is full of
trees/shrubs/etc. since the didnt cut that down to build my house/lawn.

This stream is basically like a marsh in that you dont see much running
water, just wetness. I like the trees and the water.

What I want to do is build a walkway that goes through the treed area,
over the marshland. I want it to go from the side of my house all the
way to the end of my property where I will put a screened in gazebo.
This is probably a 75 foot walk.

What type of company would build something like this? Can I call a deck
building company?


Thanks,


CL Gilbert


Are you sure this isn't a failed septic system?

rusty redcloud


Well, it is helped to stay wet by the water pumped out of my and my 2
neighbors basements. But no, its where the water flows. I can trace it
to the street in front of my house, and follow the path further if i was
patient enough. The water table is high in my area but the homes are
new and no septic systems are present. Some of the older homes may have
them though.

Its a stream, but the land gets flat toward the back of my house so it
spreads out and the ground is kind of marshy.




--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door() into
the sheepfold{}, but climbeth up some other *way, the same is a thief
and a robber."


Why not bring in fill to make the stream a managable size and just span
right over it




I got no place to go! Im not trying to cross it. There is nothing on
the other side except my neighbor's property. I am trying to make a
nice walkway with a gazebo. I can put a gazebo on my grass, but I think
it would be nicer if its in this wooded and wet area.

So the objective is to trim back some of the wild brush, make a walkway
with a gazebo at the end. The walkway and the gazebo will be always
over the running water. Perhaps a glass bottom gazebo

But no, I dont want to fill it because the only function of this walkway
is to look nice and the water plays a part hopefully. Yes its really
just landscaping.

But im not a rich guy, and this is small property and the walkway will
be probably just 75 feet.

If I were going to fill it, I would just put a french drain or something
there and let the water out at the end of my property. That might
reduce my mosquitos and I would just put grass there and cut down all
the shrubage but not the trees.


--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert


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kevin
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Cripes. Sorry you have gotten such a hard time with responses. It is
clear that you like the property the way it is, so don't listen to the
bozos that tell you to bring in fill, change the stream, or whatever.
Do what you think you will like best. I personally think your original
suggestion was pretty good.

Based on your suggestion, I would think this is not a classified
wetland (but, as you can tell from previous responses, it is not always
clear). If it _is_ classified wetland, then you may be out of luck.
This may be unfair (there are some extreme examples of laws and
regulations getting out of control), but it may also be perfectly
reasonable in the larger scheme of things (paying some money for a
piece of land doesn't give someone absolute or unfettered control over
all aspects of the land and its use, especially if the rest of us might
be harmed, as would be the case if everyone continued filling in their
wetlands). So I'd check the various regulations and ask around a
little, and think hard about if you would really be doing significant
damage to something that is important to the community. I'd bet you
will be fine...

In which case, go for a narrow, raised walkway. Depending on climate
(does it freeze hard?), you can get away with some pretty minimal
disturbance. I'd be wary of a general deck contractor. Their typical
solution to a water issue is going to be just dig big holes (with heavy
equiptment) and fill with concrete. After they get done, your nice
marshy area will be a huge mud pit, needing extensive landscaping,
replanting, and restoration. It will not look the same for years, or
even decades.

Here is an interesting, simple idea:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/ar...me=081008a.xml

I have only seen this done once, in NC I think, but it looks pretty
easy. The idea is to build simple frame sections of walkway (say, 12'
long, and 4' wide), with 4x4 posts at each corner, and maybe 2 more
posts half way along, to raise it up off the ground a foot or two or
three. In your swamp, a small cone-shaped concrete block serves as a
foot for each post, with long metal spikes driven in to the ground to
keep it from moving around. You place the blocks, then carry the frame
and put it on the blocks, then nail on the decking and railings. When
you are all done, there will be nothing worse than a few footprints in
the marsh. The blocks might not even be needed, you could just pin the
posts at two angles. Think of the whole thing as more of a floating
dock -- the sections should be coupled together loosely, to allow for a
little movement over time. The gazebo could be done the same way. To
get the pins in, you would need either a sledge hammer, or depending on
the soil (rocky?), you might even need a small jackhammer.

So ask around, and see if any contractors in your area are willing to
try something less invasive than just simple excavating and pouring
concrete.

  #17   Report Post  
CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert
 
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Default

kevin wrote:
Cripes. Sorry you have gotten such a hard time with responses. It is
clear that you like the property the way it is, so don't listen to the
bozos that tell you to bring in fill, change the stream, or whatever.
Do what you think you will like best. I personally think your original
suggestion was pretty good.

Based on your suggestion, I would think this is not a classified
wetland (but, as you can tell from previous responses, it is not always
clear). If it _is_ classified wetland, then you may be out of luck.
This may be unfair (there are some extreme examples of laws and
regulations getting out of control), but it may also be perfectly
reasonable in the larger scheme of things (paying some money for a
piece of land doesn't give someone absolute or unfettered control over
all aspects of the land and its use, especially if the rest of us might
be harmed, as would be the case if everyone continued filling in their
wetlands). So I'd check the various regulations and ask around a
little, and think hard about if you would really be doing significant
damage to something that is important to the community. I'd bet you
will be fine...

In which case, go for a narrow, raised walkway. Depending on climate
(does it freeze hard?), you can get away with some pretty minimal
disturbance. I'd be wary of a general deck contractor. Their typical
solution to a water issue is going to be just dig big holes (with heavy
equiptment) and fill with concrete. After they get done, your nice
marshy area will be a huge mud pit, needing extensive landscaping,
replanting, and restoration. It will not look the same for years, or
even decades.

Here is an interesting, simple idea:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/ar...me=081008a.xml

I have only seen this done once, in NC I think, but it looks pretty
easy. The idea is to build simple frame sections of walkway (say, 12'
long, and 4' wide), with 4x4 posts at each corner, and maybe 2 more
posts half way along, to raise it up off the ground a foot or two or
three. In your swamp, a small cone-shaped concrete block serves as a
foot for each post, with long metal spikes driven in to the ground to
keep it from moving around. You place the blocks, then carry the frame
and put it on the blocks, then nail on the decking and railings. When
you are all done, there will be nothing worse than a few footprints in
the marsh. The blocks might not even be needed, you could just pin the
posts at two angles. Think of the whole thing as more of a floating
dock -- the sections should be coupled together loosely, to allow for a
little movement over time. The gazebo could be done the same way. To
get the pins in, you would need either a sledge hammer, or depending on
the soil (rocky?), you might even need a small jackhammer.

So ask around, and see if any contractors in your area are willing to
try something less invasive than just simple excavating and pouring
concrete.


thanks, that looks nice.

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert
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