Drainage Options Information For Homeowners

Drainage Options 1. Horticultural ways to help wet soils 2. Slowing/intercepting Runoff 3. Slope/grading possibilities 4. Underground/subsurface alternatives

Drainage Options

Soils Add compost – organic matter Add compost – organic matter Encourage earthworms/microorganisms Encourage earthworms/microorganisms Aerate lawns Aerate lawns Avoid compaction Avoid compaction

Drainage Options Plant Selection “Wet Feet” “Wet Feet” Erosion control – groundcovers on slopes Erosion control – groundcovers on slopes Native plants Native plants Plant lists: Plant lists: - Extension Publications: Trees for Problem Landscape Sites: - Native plants for Conservation, Restoration and Landscaping (comprehensive list):

Native Plants Group several of the same plant together to establish a healthy population. Group several of the same plant together to establish a healthy population.

Plants for Wet Sites Plants Royal fern, maidenhair fern, ostrich fern Royal fern, maidenhair fern, ostrich fern Cardinal flower Cardinal flower Foam flower Foam flower Bleeding heart Bleeding heart Soloman’s seal Soloman’s seal Butterfly weed Butterfly weed Columbine (native variety: Aquilegia canadensis) Columbine (native variety: Aquilegia canadensis) Heavy metal switch grass Heavy metal switch grass

Plants Shrubs Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) Red twig dogwood Red twig dogwood Bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) Winterberry holly (Ilex vertilulata) Winterberry holly (Ilex vertilulata) Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Sweetspire (Itea virginica) Sweetspire (Itea virginica) Red Chokeberry (Aronia abutifolia) Red Chokeberry (Aronia abutifolia)

Plants Trees River Birch (Betula nigra) River Birch (Betula nigra) American Hornbeam (Carpinus carolinia) American Hornbeam (Carpinus carolinia) American Holly (Ilex opaca) American Holly (Ilex opaca) Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Drainage Options Mulch Organic – bark, shredded or “nuggets” Organic – bark, shredded or “nuggets” Depth of 2-4 inches Depth of 2-4 inches Advantages Advantages –Breaks raindrops/prevents erosion –Aesthetic –Weed control No volcanoes! No volcanoes!

Drainage Options

Gutters/downspouts –Leaf guard to prevent stoppages –Repair leaks –Check slope

Drainage Options Splashblocks/ extenders –Slope AWAY from foundation –Extend downspout: roll-out, perforated extension (above ground or buried); solid pipe –Drop inlet

Drainage Options Rain Barrels & Cisterns – above or under- ground

Drainage Options Rain Gardens: Shallow landscaped areas built to slow down and hold rain runoff, allowing it to soak into the ground, instead of flowing into storm drains.

Rain Gardens: Commercial Use Parking Lots Parking Lots Neighborhood Common Areas, Parks, Schools Neighborhood Common Areas, Parks, Schools New Commercial Developments (LID) New Commercial Developments (LID)

Drainage Options Rain Garden Advantages Prevent Erosion Prevent Erosion Help prevent local (yard) flooding. Help prevent local (yard) flooding. Soak up to 30% more water than lawns. Soak up to 30% more water than lawns. Prevent pollution Prevent pollution

Where to Build a Rain Garden Where to Build a Rain Garden Between area to be drained (roof, driveway or yard) and storm drain or street Between area to be drained (roof, driveway or yard) and storm drain or street Where downspout or other area can drain to it across a grassy area, or “filter strip” Where downspout or other area can drain to it across a grassy area, or “filter strip” At least 10 feet from your house’s foundation At least 10 feet from your house’s foundation An oval or oblong shape approximately 5- 7% of the size of the area draining to it (roof, etc.) An oval or oblong shape approximately 5- 7% of the size of the area draining to it (roof, etc.)

Testing Drainage Dig test hole Dig test hole One foot deep One foot deep One foot long/wide One foot long/wide Fill with water until saturated Fill with water until saturated Fill again to top and let stand Fill again to top and let stand If doesn’t drain in 24 hours, the site is not suitable for Rain Garden If doesn’t drain in 24 hours, the site is not suitable for Rain Garden

Building Rain Gardens Building Rain Gardens Call Miss Utility!!! Call Miss Utility!!! Remove grass and 3-6+ inches of soil to make a level bottom. Remove grass and 3-6+ inches of soil to make a level bottom. Mix in compost, sand, topsoil, and other soil conditioners for better drainage. Mix in compost, sand, topsoil, and other soil conditioners for better drainage.

Rain Gardens

Drainage Options

Filling low spots –If adding soil to low areas – be sure water has somewhere to go –Incorporate the new soil

Drainage Options Terracing Slopes –Prevents runoff erosion of slopes –Makes better planting beds – level, more stable

Building Terraces Height Height Materials Materials Reinforcement Reinforcement Plants Plants Mulch Mulch

Drainage Options Berms Earthen mounds used to direct drainage (among other uses) Earthen mounds used to direct drainage (among other uses) A site designer should evaluate the entire site’s drainage before considering a berm of significant size. A site designer should evaluate the entire site’s drainage before considering a berm of significant size.

Drainage Options Swales: Shallow earthen channels covered with grass Shallow earthen channels covered with grass

Building A Dry Creek Bed Mimic stream’s shape – meander? Mimic stream’s shape – meander? At least twice as wide as deep (good size is three feet wide by 18 inches deep) At least twice as wide as deep (good size is three feet wide by 18 inches deep) Add rocks/plants Add rocks/plants Lead to dispersal area or pond (NOT street) Lead to dispersal area or pond (NOT street)

Drainage Options

French Drain Gravel-filled trench Gravel-filled trench Perforated pipe Perforated pipe Covered with fabric Covered with fabric Slope to aid drainage Slope to aid drainage Call Miss Utility FIRST Call Miss Utility FIRST

Drainage Options Underground Drainage System Hire a professional contractor qualified to create drainage systems. Hire a professional contractor qualified to create drainage systems.

Questions?