- DES Director
- Derek Yeager
- Email the Department
- Phone
-
406-256-2775
- Fax
- 406-256-6947
- Physical Address
- 316 North 26th/Rm 3201 Billings, MT 59101
This is a dependable method to build or cap a levee
and has been used many times over the years. An excessive amount
of labor is required and progress is relatively slow. Due to the
increasing scarcity of labor, flood fight teams should use faster,
more efficient methods whenever possible.
The height of a sandbag levee or capping a levee
is limited by the base area available. (A levee can usually be
raised only a few feet by this method.) In general, the base width
of a sandbag levee or levee cap should be three times the height
of the cap.
| Height | Sandbags Required | Tons of Sand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Foot | 800 | 13 Tons |
| 2 Feet | 2,000 | 33 Tons |
| 3 Feet | 3,400 | 56 Tons |
The following is a description of the proper
steps required to construct a sand bag levee: The foundation
where sand bags are to be placed should be scarified or trenched.
This will provide for a good bond between the ground surface and
the sand bags and reduce the amount of seepage that could occur
between the ground surface and the first row of sand bags. A key
trench should be dug in the center of the proposed sand bag alignment.
This trench should be approximately 2 bags wide and 1 bag deep
(4 - 6 inches).
Before placing sand bags in the key trench, plastic sheeting (poly)
should be anchored in the bottom of the trench. This will reduce
the amount of seepage that would occur between the ground surface
and the first row of sand bags. Sand bags should be filled one-half
to two-thirds full. If the bags are filled at the site of placement,
then the bags should not be tied. If the bags are to be filled
off the site and transported to the placement site, then tying
the bags will prevent losses due to spillage. Start placing sand
bags in the key trench on the plastic sheeting. Place the filled
bags length-wise and parallel to the direction of the flow. Lay
the unfilled portion of the bag flat on the ground.
Place the succeeding bags on the unfilled or tied portion of the
previously layed bag and stamp into place to eliminate voids and
form a tight seal. Stagger the joint connections when multiple
layers are necessary and stack the sand bags in pyramid fashion.
A good rule of thumb is to construct the sand bag levee base width
three times the sand bag levee height.