Designing a landscape that can thrive in drought or heavy rain, can be a challenge. Where there are extreme slopes soil erosion and the washing away of nutrients can occur. Where there is flat terrain flooding and salinization of the soil can cause significant damage. Drainage and erosion control helps to manage water within your outdoor spaces. The following are some of the techniques we use to prevent moisture from harming plants, eroding the soil, or damaging surrounding structures.
Believe or not, the most effective way to solve water issues is with proper grading. A large number of water issues in basements and landscapes can be simply resolved by regrading a property to direct the water in the proper direction.
The goal of any drain system is to direct water in the most natural direction possible. Directing water in unnatural ways will only create more headaches. This project had water damming up in the driveway due a landscape berm. Installing a simple dry rock bed allows the water to flow into the lawn to be reused, rather than into the storm water system. Dry rock “creek” beds, while being functional drainage systems, also provide aesthetic beauty.
Instead of allowing water to “run off”, drain boxes can be installed along driveways or sidewalks to collect water and redirect it into the landscape or turf areas. This can help the environment by allowing time for the water to be reabsorbed into the ground, but it can also save you money on the water bill by allowing excess water to feed your plants and/or turf.
Perhaps the biggest issue we see with water in the landscape is when downspouts drop water into basements or landscapes and causes flooding. We have found the simplest way to solve this is to install underground downspouts and have the water slowly disperse into the landscapes with a pop-up emitter.
French drains can also be installed to help direct water when grading or traditional drains do not allow for it. These types of systems are often invisible and completely underground.
We can help you manage the shoreline of your pond and create a beach area to maximize your enjoyment of the water.
