Water or high ground?

[LizardKing]

I'm looking at parcels of land and have run into a question on what I want vs what I can get. If you were getting land (figure 10-20 acres or so) and had to make a choice between running water (stream) and low ground or high ground (field of view) and drilling for water, which would you go for? Let's assume that the $$ for both on the same piece gets past what I can spend.

[EX121]

I would go with the stream, because it could possibly be used for hydro-power. My 2 1/2 cents.

[LizardKing]

I would go with the stream, because it could possibly be used for hydro-power. My 2 1/2 cents.

I've given that some thought, but with high ground I can also go for wind power. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages and makes for a tough choice.

[610Alpha]

how much running water, a stream that is 5 feet wide or 20 feet? How many times has it ran dry? Have you done a wind analysis? I am sure there are other questions. Hard to say one way or the other without more info.

These are some questions that I would be asking if I were in your shoes. I use 6-Sigma a lot at work so I naturally get the details, ask why a lot, base decisions on data, and risk analysis/mitigation.

[GAGLOCK]

Low ground+stream=flooding? Something to check into.

[eeyore]

The flooding is definitely an issue, i would go for figuring the 100 year flood plan.

I would lean towards the stream, usually better soil, you have access to fishing and water, easier.

I always worry about who is up stream and whether they would dam the water or pollute it up stream.

The high ground gives you the easiest defences and that is no small factor.

[dilli]

high ground with spring head or cistern??

We personally prefer high ground for many reasons but in our situation it also mean no drilling at all or very deep expensive drilling. We do well for ourselves water wise on 15 acres with goats, chickens, bunnies, dogs, 4 people and all of our gardens. We have a spring head and a small pond, a seasonal very small stream and our cistern. Cisterns are a fairly cheap way to go if ulterior motive is off grid, provided you are in an area that gets rain.

[Lowdown3]

Our first property was low ground. Was high and dry when I purchased it during the middle of a drought. I put about six months work (weekends) into digging a big pond, moving dirt to fill in low spots, etc. Then one of those "once every 100 year" floods came through. I had 4 1/2 acres under water and 1/2 acre of hill.

It's a lot of work to get low ground filled in and squared away.

I'd want to know average depth of wells in your area, is their the possibility of a spring, etc.

I don't factor in surface water like a stream as a regular water source. Emergency water source, sure. But as a day to day water source- sketchy as others have mentioned.

You can do a real deep well with a hand pump. It won't be the $50. small hand pump, but it can be done.

[Lowdown3]

Our first property was low ground. Was high and dry when I purchased it during the middle of a drought. I put about six months work (weekends) into digging a big pond, moving dirt to fill in low spots, etc. Then one of those "once every 100 year" floods came through. I had 4 1/2 acres under water and 1/2 acre of hill.

It's a lot of work to get low ground filled in and squared away.

I'd want to know average depth of wells in your area, is their the possibility of a spring, etc.

I don't factor in surface water like a stream as a regular water source. Emergency water source, sure. But as a day to day water source- sketchy as others have mentioned.

You can do a real deep well with a hand pump. It won't be the $50. small hand pump, but it can be done.

[eeyore]

If you chose low area correctly or with for thought, it should be able to be bermed or a levy installed. It is (or can be) expensive, for the right land it would be worth it.


This is kind of neat program, i guess it uses topographical maps, but it could give you an idea of what could happen as far as flooding. Follow this link

https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?177-An-adjustiable-flood-map&p=629

[LizardKing]

I've been kicking around a lot of these thoughts and I really appreciate the replys. Someone daming the stream would be a real problem, but I hadn't considered intentional or accidental pollution of it. The area I'm looking at is in the vicinity of a large river and there is data to support the 100 year flood, which is why I keep looking more at high ground. Unfortunately, the lowland is the better farmland and not being a seasoned farmer, I need all the help the land can give me. A good spring with long view would be a nice one, but those seem to be few and far between so far.

I also have to stay away from the 'ain't that pretty' thoughts when I look at these things and keep my primary purpose in mind. On the pump part, I've been looking at Grundfos submersible 12V pumps and a solar array to run it.