Building myself a ski lake

[jamisonsbrodie]

Originally Posted by east tx skier

1 hour, 47 minutes until I do. My boat is parked outside the office.

I am jealous! High tomorrow here is 48 and rain. 60 on Sunday, but we have my daughters b-day party. It may be next weekend before I get to actually chase some bouys!

[east tx skier]

It's a little windy here today. High of 87. So not ideal as the wind goes. Our lake isn't a private one per say, but it's as private as a public lake can be. Our club has exclusive skiing rights. So other than a couple of fishermen, we have it to ourselves. It's not a barbell shape either, so rollers can happen if the wind picks up. I just measured it on google maps and it looks like the area we use is right about 2,100'. So I stand by my make it longer comments. On this lake, I barely have enough time to fix my shorts and smile for the camera.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by east tx skier

It's a little windy here today. High of 87. So not ideal as the wind goes. Our lake isn't a private one per say, but it's as private as a public lake can be. Our club has exclusive skiing rights. So other than a couple of fishermen, we have it to ourselves. It's not a barbell shape either, so rollers can happen if the wind picks up. I just measured it on google maps and it looks like the area we use is right about 2,100'. So I stand by my make it longer. On this lake, I barely have enough time to fix my shorts and smile for the camera.

Our lake is just under 2,100 feet. Set up is quick, but managable. I sure wouldn't want any shorter. Maybe if it was an 8 ball course but still.

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Our lake is just under 2,100 feet. Set up is quick, but managable. I sure wouldn't want any shorter. Maybe if it was an 8 ball course but still.

I have skied on a friends course that is on an approximately 1,600' lake. There is no room for a turn-around start at one end. So when you get up, you have to be pulling out immediately. It's a bit intense to say the least.

[petermegan]

Wow, You guys didn't respond any where near as quickly when I asked a vinyl/carpet question

Thanks for all your advice, it is much appreciated. I can narrow a touch by the sounds of it, but I am worried if I make the lake longer (larger holding capacity) in dryer years with less or no runoff, I may not be able to get enough water in it to ski. It is a conundrum in that in a wet year I need to get rid of the water from my farming land and as far as efficiency of dam building goes a square or circle is far more efficient for earthworks. The longer and narrower I make it the more earth to shift for the same amount of storage.

The good news is that if I make it too short I can always extend, but I need to get the width spot on to start with. The gradient for bank info is excellent thankyou. I am a little worried I may not be able to achieve the 10:1 gradient as the bank will end up too wide at the base. I wonder whether those calculations may have been for a lake completely in the ground not with banks built up? I think we will peg out a longer length and see how we go shifting the clay. On my previous calculations it was going to need approx. 25-30cubic yards per yard of bank. This equates to 33000 cubic yards of soil after we get rid of the topsoil (scraper holds 15yards) This is also a compacted measure, so I have to be careful here. Ie. it holds 15yds of fluffed up soil not compacted in the bank. 1100yards bank * 30 = 33000 cubic yards or 2200 scraper loads.

So who is still with me??????

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by petermegan

Wow, You guys didn't respond any where near as quickly when I asked a vinyl/carpet question

Thanks for all your advice, it is much appreciated. I can narrow a touch by the sounds of it, but I am worried if I make the lake longer (larger holding capacity) in dryer years with less or no runoff, I may not be able to get enough water in it to ski. It is a conundrum in that in a wet year I need to get rid of the water from my farming land and as far as efficiency of dam building goes a square or circle is far more efficient for earthworks. The longer and narrower I make it the more earth to shift for the same amount of storage.

The good news is that if I make it too short I can always extend, but I need to get the width spot on to start with. The gradient for bank info is excellent thankyou. I am a little worried I may not be able to achieve the 10:1 gradient as the bank will end up too wide at the base. I wonder whether those calculations may have been for a lake completely in the ground not with banks built up? I think we will peg out a longer length and see how we go shifting the clay. On my previous calculations it was going to need approx. 25-30cubic yards per yard of bank. This equates to 33000 cubic yards of soil after we get rid of the topsoil (scraper holds 15yards) This is also a compacted measure, so I have to be careful here. Ie. it holds 15yds of fluffed up soil not compacted in the bank. 1100yards bank * 30 = 33000 cubic yards or 2200 scraper loads.

So who is still with me??????

I'd guess you will need closer to 2500 loads after compaction.

[ahhudgins]

I’m assuming that there’s going to be an “Open House” invite to all TT members when it’s completed?

[petermegan]

Of course hudgins, of course. I will try and remember to give you a personal invite. If any TT members are looking for a ski in Southern Australia give me a call. Happy to give a tow at our local lake and a bit of a sightsee if you are touring from O/S.

[petermegan]

I gave a fair bit of thought to orientation and came up with (Southern Hemisphere don't forget) approx. a 10-15 degree rotation anticlockwise form North-South. ie.NNW to SSE if that makes sense. My prevailing winds come from either the West or South and that will avoid the sun in the eyes issue. I probably should point out that I am not a die hard slalom course addict and when I am fit can make it through a course just. My kids are 7 and 9 and if I was ever going to undertake something like this now was the time. Being well aware of the issue of going too wide for wind affect, I thought novices on the lake may want to wakeboard, kneeboard or even a tube on a short rope. We will also stock with fish, which I think helps in overall ecology and cleanliness of the lake. Keep the ideas coming, I am learning heaps.

[east tx skier]

If you can get them, grass carp will keep the lake free of vegetation. But if you don't need them, don't bother. The get absolutely huge. Remorseless eating machines they are.