Somewhere upstream, a farmer has altered the path of water. Cutting deep gulleys and picking up soil, it made its' way onto this farm. Slowing in a waterway with natural grass banks lined with trees, the water dropped some of the soil and stone. Pulled by gravity and unable to flow in the plugged waterway, it flowed into our pastures and cropland. With deposits of six to eight inches, the pasture is now low ground and water is flowing in it. Similarly, the field planted in rye is now low ground and will probably continue to receive silt deposits throughout the year. An excavator will be needed to repair the damaged stream....costly in several ways (1) the ecosystem is damaged (2) the cropland and pasture will be permanently damaged having been buried in sediment (3) time (4) money, probably a couple of thousand dollars or more.
I read a relevant bit from "What Are People For" by Wendell Berry to finish things off.

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

Please contact me with your own stories.
greatbigfarmer@gmail.com