Our excavation site had 3-4 inches of standing water in it and the only ones thinking this was a good thing were our ducks.
The problem was our time of year. As we were not able to excavate prior to the canals being filled for irrigation and all the fields around us being irrigated, the ground water level can be up to 4 feet higher at this time of year. We need to have it dry enough to fit forms for concrete and NOT have to go back to County Planning.
My Loving Spouse came up with a plan. He set off for Yakima first thing in the morning to purchase Memorial day necessities, a new flag, a new barbecue and a sump pump.
He drilled holes in a barrel for water to flow into and marked the site we wanted to ‘plant’ the barrel.
We were ready to try what we hoped would be a solution to our second “unwanted” pond.
Our aim was to use our post hole auger to drill three deep holes.
We hoped this would limit how much digging we needed to do by hand, in order to fit the barrel in the hole…a hole that would fill with mud and water.
The post hole auger did the job. We now take turns digging the dirt out of the hole.
The hole quickly becomes too deep to dig from the ground. I go into the hole to dig it out.
I dig around in circles…
…sometimes getting stuck in the mud. My Loving Spouse fetching me shorter and shorter handled shovels.
My long arms come in handy.
Eventually, the only thing left to dig with, that is effective is our feed scoop we use to feed the chickens.
We get the barrel into our hole. I (being the muddy one with muck boots on) go into the ‘second’ pond to dig a small hole through the dirt wall to facilitate the water flow toward the barrel.
The sump pump gets out fitted in the barrel and we (not really ‘we’, My Loving Spouse) attaches a bit of fire house to the end of the pipe.
The pump is plugged in and we wait.
We are gleeful (and muddy). The sump pump is pumping out of the barrel like nobody’s business. Within a couple of hours, we can even see ‘dry’ land within the excavation site.
All I need now is a shower and a large dose of Advil, as my back is a tad sore.
I am however, humming “It is well, it is well, with my soul”. It is one of my favorite hymns. I can even hear My Boyfriend Bob singing the refrain in the back ground…
and I am blessed.
Goodness gracious! You never cease to amaze me with your farmhand prowess! I have to admit that the photo of you bent over the hole, seemingly headless and legless gave me pause…. Hope the next building phase goes smoothly!
From your lips to God’s ears! Thank you dear friend.
Good news and bad news. I wondered if it was related to the irrigation ditchs. At least you folks have figured out a way to outsmart it!
Thanks Dear John,
A well drilling friend says the ground water here with the irrigation and artisan wells the water table rises 4 feet at this time of year!