What can a person do about soggy bottom property?

I have a piece of land (about 20 acres), currently being used as a private airport, but I'd like to close the hangars and put the land to better use. There are some low places where rain water accumulates, making the property less attractive.

(Zoning allows for nothing smaller than 5 acre plots, so I was considering dividing into four smaller pieces and selling them for home building.)

There are ways to drain land. All of which are expensive.

The one I know a little about is what farmers do. Bury PVC drain pipe to a drain or a pumping station where is pumped out. This is not a one time operation. Must be on all the time.

But investigate first. Had a friend that had about the same kind of property. When he tried to build on it, they would not let him. What he had there was Grandfathered. They said it was "Wet Land" protected by you know who.

Sorry I have not been more help, but I am sure others will be along with their suggestions.

This is actually not a bad suggestion. The property is next to a road with about 3' deep ditch for runoff along my side of the road. Do you think I would need to get a permit to put the pipe in myself?

I assume that not the whole property is flooded, and I would also assume that the reason why water stands is due to to the geology of the soil in the region.

All it may take is a bit of land fill, to raise the level of the ground a tad, or grading, or even just a good plowing.

Your best bet is to get a geologist to look at the property and for him to tell you what he thinks can be done.

Perhaps the way to go is to make a small lake - and sell the remaining property as lake side property - more money for water features

Installing a lot of PVC for drainage doesn't sound right to me.

Maybe by dividing the property up into four parcels you will need to install an easement or road - perhaps that could be used as drainage?

David

I like the lake idea David had. My dad has a huge pasture behide his house which not only flooded with every rain, it has a creek behind it as well. He invested about 2k and had a small pond dug, and then had the fish and game people come and populate it with fish for him. (this did this for free) Now he's doubled the value of his property and has his own private fishing hole to boot.

Oh! And he's also created a home for wildlife which didn't exist before. His pond attracts water fowls, frogs and lots of deer. It really is rather beautiful and kind to nature!

Oh I will cry, will cry, when the wetlands are dry. " I will cry when the wetlands are dryyyyyy" -old Irish song

An intriguing idea, David, thanks.

(You're right about only part of property being wet. The runway is fine.)

Now I am not sure about this, but I was told that in Ohio, if you have the fish and game people stock your lake, you can not keep the public out.

I only metion this so you check before you do it.

A friend of the family paid to stock his himself to keep the public out.

I bet I can.

For safety reasons, the public would not be allowed to cross the runway to get to the pond.