This YCC project involved removal of old gravel filled steps and creation of infiltration steps designed to capture water moving downhill toward the lake and allow it to sink into the sandy soil beneath the crushed stone.
The first phase involve removal of sand, gravel, and deteriorated timbers of the old steps to create a basin area to trap runoff.
Before =>>>
The finished steps are pressure treated 6×6 timbers filled with crushed stone over landscape cloth and slate slabs that were recovered from an old dock patio during a deck rebuild are embedded in the stone. After =>>>
The infiltration steps intercepts all runoff from the slope above and increases the amount of water that will be absorbed.
The process of building infiltration steps
The sand and gravel were removed out of the shore line zone by bucket brigade. The remains of the old steps went to the dump after determining the length of replacement 6×6 pressure treated timbers. The timbers were cut outside of the shore zone and laid out to make sure all the necessary timbers were ready for assembly. The base timbers were stabilized by 3/8 x 24″ rebars driven into the ground. Each layer of timber was secured to the layer below with 3/8 rebar and the end of step timbers were stabilized by 3/8 x 24″ rebars driven into the ground.
Landscape cloth was placed over the sandy soil and between the timbers. Then the bucket brigade carried the crush stone to fill the step wells level. Slate slabs were embedded in the crush stone to provide a stable flat walking surface. A buffer of heavy mulch was spread on the pond side of the steps to absorb any water that did not seep into the soil. The resulting Infiltration steps will trap rain water running down the hill and prevent sediment from entering the lake.
