The Amazing Race · Join the Adventure

Here is our report from Associated Earth Science.

I’m pleased to report that we have completed our explorations out at the HYW 9 Building Site for our future Canyon Creek Church Building.  We generally found lodgment till in the west half of the site, with the upper 3 to 4 feet being weathered and less dense than the underlying, un-weathered lodgment till.  The dense, glacially consolidated nature of the lodgment till typically provides suitable support of foundations with minimal subsurface soil preparation. Watch video HERE.  The fine-grained nature of the lodgment till, however, is prone to disturbance (pumping, rutting, and similar near-surface, water-related issues) should construction occur during the wet season.  Moisture sensitive soils can significantly increase the costs for wet season site development and foundation construction.

In the east half of the site, we generally observed a thin smearing of weathered lodgment till overlying weathered sedimentary bedrock.  The mineral soil in this portion of the property typically consisted of more granular materials, but they were generally of limited depth (typically between 5 and 7 feet thick, measured from existing site grades) before encountering the underlying bedrock.  One interesting thing to note about the soils on the east half of the property was the amount of oxidation observed in the samples we recovered.  The oxidation indicates that water has historically passed through these soils and may be an indication of perched water during seasonal highs.  This is consistent with the presence of the delineated wetland that was observed down-gradient from where we performed our test pits.

AESGEO

By Pastor Russ

This next week we are starting our exploration test pits.  We will be digging test pits throughout the property.  These test pits will be advanced to between 10 and 15 feet below existing site grades, logged by an engineer and geologist from Associated Earth Sciences.  These test pits will enable us to calculate important information that is needed for site development.  We need information for the building site, septic system, road and parking lot, retention ponds and an assortment of additional items.  This information will allow Steve Calhoon from Pace Engineers to start and incredible long journey of paper and design work. 

By Pastor Russ

We have completed the wetland study and I just received the survey of the wetland flags.  Now all we have to do is put the puzzle together.  We are meeting with an engineer and wetland specialist this afternoon.  This is an exciting time to actually see a clear picture of the property.  Now not only can you see across the property but you can also see it on paper. 

By Pastor Russ

Walking across the property today, I was reminded of just how big 17 acres really is.  If you have not been on our Hwy. 9 property yet, you need come by for a visit.  I will be on the property all day Wednesday, October 27th and you could have a chance to get a glimpse of the progress.  We have cleaned out an amazing amount of junk, mowed the fields and cleaned out black berry bushes, and now you can finally start to see across the property.  The biologist is finishing up his work today and will have a full report for us next week.  This report will include all wetland issues and validation of the creek impact.  The exciting thing about the wetland study report is that it allows us to start the process of the site plan layout.  So if you are out and about, stop by our property and take a look!

By Pastor Russ