Duck House "How To Tips, Part II"

Finally, between rain squalls I did get a decent days work done today on the "new" Duck House. Again, this is Part II in a series of How to Build A Outhouse". The engineering and design plans worked out according to plans for the "Erosion Embankment Cofferdam". Constructed 0f 5/8 inch treated plywood and treated 2"x 4"'s with California Corners and bracing. The concept was to build an inner wall that would curtail the erosion of top soil and overburden into the near prefect drainage pit. The inner wall is four inches from the foundation for the pit. The walls are four feet in depth which surpasses the overburden and protects about 30" inches of gravel and sand. The bottom of the Cofferdam is capped to prohibit the debris that is eroding into the pit area. The space between the "Cofferdam" and original dirt walls will be back filled with material dredge from the bottom of the pit.

Currently, we have had approximately three feet of overburden cave off into the neatly dug basin. Weather permitting, Lady Eagle and myself will remove that material tomorrow, now that we have a safe working area and no fear of a "cave in". The concept is to remove the excess material and use it as back fill around the base of the construction. Dependent, on energy level may well try to remove new material and go deeper than the original excavation. There is three reasons for this; (1) Deeper pit, longer life expectancy, (2) Just for my personal knowledge, would like to see the depth of that gravel and sand vein, (3) Explore for additional signs of "gold" to determine if this is Arnie's Vein.

If the excavating is accomplished in a timely fashion, perhaps Part III will commence, I know all of you are all looking forward to "how to build a building foundation", it should be an exciting chapter.

"Duck House" How To Tips Part 1

Knowing that all of you deeply regret that you cannot participate in this project, but I will endeavor to keep you informed so you too, will feel that you are a part of this important project. Also, in the event that you want to build the same type of facility in your backyard, this will also serve as a "How To" help topic so you do not fall into the same pit fall as I did. You can learn from my errors. As a matter of economics and conservation, you should seriously consider the development of such a project in your yards. This facility will save you from 200 to 300 gallons of water a day, money flushed down the drain each time you pull the handle on your new fangle "flush toilets" That is a savings of 2,400 to 3,600 gallons of water a year.

First thing you will want to do is select a site that not only is soothing to the soul in natural fauna and floral, but also has a good base for drainage. We were fortunate to select such a site. Early into the excavation, a very good quality of sand and gravel was struck enabling the excavation to go to a depth of seven feet and provide instant draining of liquids.

The first error occurred by not covering the site and allowing rain to saturate the area, eroding about three feet of top soil into the excavation site.
Today, construction began in earnest with the removal of the original foundation base and excavating around the perimeter of the excavation.
Referring back to my engineering notes as well as the building plans, the site was further excavated to including the entire perimeter of the building and deck structure, to insure the ground was level, well drained for building construction.
Although a lot of material had to be moved by hand in the excavation process, the site came out level and should drain well. Additional back filling around the pit entrance will take place at a later stage in the project. Water repellent material was then added to the substructure above and below ground level.
Additional fabric was placed on the substructure to insure that water was diverted from the site, allowing it to saturate into the sand, gravel, and not drain directly into the excavation creating a second erosion problem. Additional back fill will be placed around the substructure to bring the foundation of the building level with the top of the substructure.
It was a beautiful day to work at the HITW today, some sunshine and shirt sleeve weather. Weather permitting, tomorrow, the soil abatement cofferdams will be built for installation inside the substructure, the messican excavator will be on the job site to extricate the excess debris from the bottom of the depository. Although primitive, I believe that with one on the digger and the second on the five gallon bucket, it should be a simple task to take it back to the original depth or perhaps a little deeper. Once completed, the foundation for the building can be completed before another trip to the lumber yard is required. I did spend a little time in the bottom of the pit today, only to extricate my engineering calculator that had slipped out of my shirt pocket as well as the level that accidentally drop into the hole during the process of leveling.

In the event you are wondering, I am having fun! As a side note, now I do not want to start a major "rush" to stake claims, but perhaps I have discovered "Arnie's Vein". I excavated a rock today, about half the size of a football. I was totally amazed by the amount of "gold" that is showing in the rock, perhaps the most I have ever seen show in one rock. It is safely stowed away in my safe, however, next spring it will be on public display in the new "Duck House", under very tight security. Having plenty of time to think today while shoveling, you can look forward to some innovative improvements to Duck House II.

Rain and Dirt Problems

Awakening this morning, after a night of monsoon rains, I was not looking forward to taking a look at the Hole In the Wall. The Bear, then I, arrived to find the highest flood waters that we have seen this wet summer. Water had been directed to the right location, drain pit, but it was backed up to the gazebo. By chance, yesterday Lady Eagle retrieved a used fire hose from Val McLay. After making a quick trip to the hardware store and three trips to the Wolf Den Plumbing Shop, I was able to convert a portion of the hard water line to the new "soft" line system. The fifty foot span of hose is ideal to cover the area of the parking pad. At the same time, I converted the "hard" line to "screw" couplings which eliminates any accidental disconnects. Energizing the system, in short time the "fire hose" inflated to full size with a full head of water exiting the system. Then deflates flat when the pressure is reduced. It worked great and the time span of one hour and ten minutes, the area had been "de-watered". Now, my plea, if anyone is out and about and happen to cross paths with used "fire hose" (1.5 Inch), we could surely use three more hoses, if they come in 50 foot lengths. Threads on a fire hose nozzle are different, they are designed to couple together quickly so the hose we got yesterday had to be modified to work, but those hooked into a series would not have to be modified, except at the source. Set up time, five minutes to roll out and start pumping.

Sunday, again after a night of rain a quick survey of the new "depository" revealed a serious problem of erosion (note lower center of picture). A couple of wheelbarrow loads of material had already eroded into the pit.

On Monday, I enlarged the foot print of the depository foundation, in which the building foundation will sit by attaching 2"x8" planking around the perimeter and waterproofing. Covering the project for the night, I checked on it this morning to only discover a couple more wheelbarrow loads of material had eroded into the pit after the heavy rain. Tomorrow, I buy more lumber, I will not allow these little "set backs" keep me from succeeding. After giving it serious thought all day, the concept is now to make four pony walls that will be four foot high and suspend them from the foundation. The "pony walls" will not impede the drainage of the good aggregate that we have in the pit. The aggregate starts at about the 3.5 foot level. That 3.5 feet is comprised of top soil and clay, which is the material that is eroding under the water pressure. It if works, I will still have a lot of material to dredge out of the bottom of the pit. If the new concept does not work, then I will keep digging and extending the marine plywood walls until we hit water, then we will have our own well!

Final Test Completed

For the fourth and fifth time this year, I have had to activate the de-waterization project. Today's test was the final test to convince me that it is a flawless project and will benefit the HITW. Today, the maximum pumping time to de-water the small containment area was 23 minutes. The emergency set up of the pipeline system to activate the pumping took eight minutes from start to the first surge of water at the distribution point. Within the next week to ten days, the Bobcat will be moved in and two "catch basins" will be dredged and capped. These basins will be three times the size of the test basin and taken to an unknown depth at this time.

It is hoped that the same type of aggregate can be found in the catch basin that was found at the site of the depository. In the event, that this aggregate is found, they could possibly become self baling and the use of pumps will be required only in emergencies and during periods of high water levels. Although the test hole for the de-waterization project was overflowing, the same amount of rain had no affect on the depository due to the aggregate and ability to drain. This hole was dry. Within the next couple of weeks, this site will be covered with Duck House II.

Before the Duck House II Project can go forth from the drafting table, we must first complete a "endangered specie" impact report. The current inhabitants must be clearly identified as to whether they are on the endangered specie list. Although, a professional trapper transferred two inhabitants from the area, additional members of the specie have taken refuge in the area. It is possible that two different species are currently inhabiting the location, one specie appears to be much larger than the original specie spotted in the area.

Labor Day

The fall gathering of the Clans was great this past Labor Day weekend. Not only was there some great family time around the fire pit in the evening and late night but some great meals. I have never had two full dinners in one day, just two hours apart. As the name of the holiday implies there was also a lot of Labor accomplished by everyone.

All of the goals that I had hoped to see achieved was accomplished ahead of schedule and we are in great shape. Cabins are all dried in, windows, doors, and mostly painted except from trim work. First cabin is 90% completed and second cabin 80% completed. Possibly the best depository that I have ever seen dug was completed to a depth of 7 feet in a high quality of sand and small gravel. Two hundred feet of water line dug in and laid, could have running water in the time it takes to have it delivered to the tank. Both cabins on shore power and engineered for underground lines. Excess building material located to one spot and covered for winter, waiting for spring to be uncovered and start all over again on the 2nd phase.

Overall, it was a great weekend and from both of us, to all of you; Thank you for your efforts and the amount of time and labor you have contributed. We are now two steps closer to achieving the dream that was conceived several years ago. Job well done to all Clans, family and good friends.