Draining a spring fed lake into a small stream - Land draining help and advice needed.

Michelle111 · Post: # 34774Post **Michelle111** Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:01 pm

Help!!!!!!!! We have a large pond/small lake which I believe is spring fed at the bottom of our garden. There is a small stream below it and within easy reach. This stream crosses our land. The land around the lake is used for horses and is sodden and unworkable and downright dangerous for our children. Does anyone know if I am allowed to drain the lake directly into a stream or will I be put in the stocks by the environment agency.

Any advice re this would be very much appreciated as we are a bit daunted at the moment. VMT Michelle111

Post: # 34779Post **Tony McC** Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:30 pm

You need to speak to your local water agent. This is often, but not always, the local council. They will know what is and what isn't permitted in your area.

Post: # 34788Post **Dave_L** Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:59 pm

I take it we aren't talking huge works/volumes of water here?

If so I'd be inclined to just do the diversion, who is going to know about it? Bit unethical, I know!

Pablo · Post: # 34789Post **Pablo** Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:01 pm

Don't do anything without consent the fines and punishment for enviromental damage etc these days can be very severe. Even if the place looks like a midden there is always going to be wildlife etc that live in it and others around it depend on it. Very likely you would have to commission an expensive enviromental survey to establish how diodiverse it is and if anything rare is found then you've no chance they may even make you place a buffer zone boundary around it. You may be able to get a compromise of landscaping it and making it safe and pleasant to look at but only if there is nothing rare or protected in it or using it including birds visiting it to drink. How dangerous is it really or are you bubble wrapping your kids (no offence).

Pablo · Post: # 34790Post **Pablo** Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:05 pm

Sorry Dave you posted whilst I was typing your advice could land them a fine of MANY thousands of pounds. They don't take prisoners these days and someone is bound to notice a disapearing lake.

flowjoe · Post: # 34792Post **flowjoe** Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:03 pm

If the pond is fed by a spring the chances are that there will have been some sort of over flow installed at some time that may need some attention.

Worth spending some time investigating this first but as mentioned be careful of discharging direct to the stream if their is a risk of polution, you activities may not prove a risk but if you don`t know where the water comes from before it reaches you there is always a risk

Michelle111 · Post: # 34808Post **Michelle111** Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:53 pm

What can I say???? I have never used a web like this and I am so pleased you all replied!! Thank you very much!!
Your advice will be taken and is very much appreciated. The 'midden' got three full grown adults stuck in mud up to their knees with boots slipping off and a child panicking in my arms. We laughed afterwards but we were not at the time. We have to deal with this problem seriously as it scared us. We will contact the local authority and be up front.
Thanks again to you all. Michelle

Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:50 pm

one option might be to redefine the lake, i did one for as local farmer when the cows started getting stuck in their drinking pond. dug out the silt and sediment out of the pond, ran new drains in the surrounding area back into the pond and stiffened the area with stone.

Michelle111 · Post: # 34841Post **Michelle111** Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:38 am

Many thanks for the advice. We feel much better informed now that we feel we can do something about it. Cheers!!
Michelle