Sandbaggers Wanted - Building a Dike

Sometimes it's not enough to simply toss the bags. Sometimes we need to step into a leadership role, and, well - Build the dike. 

For more indepth information and knowldege on Stepping up to the Dike, please visit http://www.winnipeg.ca/emergweb/Flood/BuildingADike.stm   .

Build the Dike

Dike should be at least 8 feet away from building

For greater security create a trench under the sandbag dike at least one sandbag deep and two sandbags wide

Height = predicted flood water rise above ground level + two feet

Flood waters and sandbag weight will cause the ground to compact, allow for this with extra sandbags on top of required height

Width = height + 2 feet

The top of the dike must be at least 2 feet

Use a 6 mil polyethylene sheet of plastic in 3 metre wide rolls weaved between the sandbags in the dike closest to the river side.

Laying the Sandbags

First layer of sandbags must be with open/tied ends facing the same way the river/water flows

Filled portion of the following sandbags will be placed on top of the ends of the first layer of sandbags (lapping)

Form rows in a brick pattern

Turn second layer sandbags 90 degrees, continuing this 90 degree turning pattern every layer

Every new layer must be pushed back ¼ of a sandbag width to create a "step-like" pattern

Then start over again.....