Water in holes for piers

[J.J.]

I am building a cottage and will be using concrete piers for the foundation. While digging the holes for the piers they started to fill with water(about 5") What sort of drainage should I use?
Thanks J.J.

[J.J.]

I thought that maybe I should provide a little more info. I am pouring 12" piers on top of 28" pre-formed plastic footing forms, the cabin is 24' X 24'. I hit the water at around 30-32". The average depth of the holes is aprox. 36" before it becomes impossible to dig any more, some of the holes I have hit bedrock and the others I feel I am very close. The dirt is very coarse and full of small rocks. After a week of drier weather the water has drained out of almost all of the holes. Also what sort of rebar configuration might you suggest for a pier?
J.J.

[Rich]

Bare minimum for drainage would be squegee (3/8" gravel) in the bottom of all the holes.. a perimeter drain would probably prove useful also.
Rebar should be #4 verticals with #3 rings @ 16" o.c.

[J.J.]

Thanks for the info.
I was also wondering how thick of a layer of gravel should I use and should I also partially backfill the holes with gravel? Also is there any value in doing this without providing drainage away from the piers? I am having great difficulty getting any deeper than 36" due to the compaction of the soil and the small rock content, I can only scrape out about 1/2" at a time using a bar and then scooping it out, a shovel just doesen't cut it.
Thanks J.J.

[Rich]

Perimeter drain with piers is more of a "would be nice to have it" but not absolutely necessary. You'll have a much easier time getting water away from piers than a wall.
Gravel layers - 4" would be fine.