Best "how to" about spring box development?

Hiya,

I have a place where a pretty good amount of water comes out, during the wet season, 5-8ft from the top of a steep hillside. It has already caused a slump/mudflow and now is actually somewhat exposed. The cliff left behind is going to need to be retained as it is right up against a road I use frequently (but not now!).

So my questions:

Can someone highlight some good info on building a spring box into a hillside? I have been looking around but there are always experts that know where to find the good stuff...

I have enough flat for a base so I was thinking to build a retaining wall along the cliff and incorporate a spring box where the water is coming out. I will also feed the drainiage from the wall into the same piping. This will be to dry the hillside primarily (reduce erosion while I can get some native veg back in place) and I also hope to store/use some of the flow along the way. Is this dumb?

Thanks folks,

Dan

FIRST REAL POST!

Hi Dan,

I'm always bugging people for pics or drawings; they really help in the design of what you're asking input for.  Could you post a simple drawing along with maybe a pic of the problem wash out area?

-thanks!

O.

A sping box with a open back.

Another option is a horizontal well. It does require a steeply sloping water table


http://www.clean-water-for-laymen.com/spring-development.html

I used this approach to develop a natural spring for my use.

The key points are to isolate the spring water and its source from any potentially icky water coming from the surface.
Think worst case scenario: something pooping right above your spring followed by a heavy rain to wash it over your spring collection apparatus.

Also make sure you don't dig down to below the ground level of your spring in close proximity (5-10'?)  or you risk opening up an easier route for the water to escape, bypassing your spring altogether.

Here my actual set up:

What I started with:

Under construction:






Complete:
Video:

These replies are fantastic!

I will try to draw a picture with some measurements later this week. I just got elbow surgery a couple days ago so I am still trying to learn the use of my left hand...

Dillon, thanks so much! For some reason I can't see your pictures though, just the video. I will try again on a different machine.

S, I am thinking to build the open back spring box more or less like you have posted. So thanks!

OK, I'll be back in a couple days with pretty pictures. Thanks so much for the support!