How to fence a drainage?

[dug]

Normally dry wash runs through my property and exits near my gate and into the river. When (if?) the rains come it can run fast and furious, maybe up to 3 feet deep and about 25 feet wide at the place I want to fence.

It has been fenced previously but it doesn't take much to blow it out, I don't think it is possible to out muscle the floods. The main things I want to keep from coming in this wash are atv's and trucks, and their drivers who seem to take any non-gated road or drainage as a  Come on in!!!  invitation.

I thought about large boulders spaced narrower than an atv's track but it would be difficult, or expensive. Also I worry about interrupting and potentially diverting the flow.

A high fence might work, or something that could pivot up during high water. Also I am thinking about building it simple and cheap with intent of redoing it 3 or 4 times a year.

Any experiences and ideas appreciated!

[rick91351]

Dug I do not think you have all that much of a problem if you can find about thirty foot of cable to span the creek or dry wash.  Sink a couple posts in on both sides the location you need to fence off.  Stretch the cable across just above the high water mark, then hang a three or four two foot wooden panels across it using some strap iron bent in to a U shape and drilled.  The water should lift the panels when it gets high.  Then you will have to sort of clean it out and redo once in a while because rubbish will become trapped there.  I have seen it done in a couple places.  You might want to hang on the cable as well some reflectors to warn the night time trespassers   

[Native_NM]

Up on the east fork of the Jemez they used to run three strands of barb wire across the area that was private.  It was usually trampled.

Short of hanging a "Unexploded Ordnance" sign, there is not much to really deter people.  A simple "No Trespassing"  sign will keep out the honest people.