THE DIGGER

[1] Dig two trenches across the stream bottom and four feet into the banks. Lay two logs in the downstream trench and one in the upstream, anchored with three-fourths-inch reinforcing rods. Site the trenches roughly four feet apart.

[2] Lay two-inch mesh wire over the logs and stream bottom, stapled to the logs.

[3] Spike smaller logs to the top of the downstream logs, leaving a midstream gap of one or two feet. Fasten only the outer ends of the top logs to the sills.

[4] Cover the wire mesh with brush and then stones. Anchor the log ends with soil and rocks. Now the notch should be enlarged by cutting back on each log alternately from the center of the spillway until the entire flow of the stream passes through. This opening should be cut during an average low-water period. Add spikes to secure the topside logs. Once the center opening is set, nail down an eight-inch-wide hoard to the two sill logs to cover the exposed wire.

[5] The digger dam carves, cleans, and aerates the in-stream swimming hole. It will flow ice free two or three months longer than a still-water pond.