My property has a large hill on the other side of the road and continues to slope down to the creek. This means I have numerous creeks and streams that need to be kept open for proper drainage. It also means that if we have long heavy rains the property may have flash flooding.
For this reason the land is being re-evaluated and extra precautions are being taken to make sure excess water always has a place to go. Run off ponds and dry creeks are being added to the property to help with these times.
Dry Creeks
Dry creeks can be beautiful and add to the landscape and atmosphere of a yard. They will also redirect water in times of a bad flood which will protect your plants, trees, landscaping and home.
A dry creek bed, when landscaped is attractive and adds the ambiance of a rushing stream, even without water. Here is how to build a dry creek bed for landscape drainage.
Materials needed.
Landscape fabric · Landscape fabric pins or garden staples · Boulders in various sizes from 1 to 3 feet across (hunt for your own to save money and add to the fun and stores of the yard) · Round river rock in 1, 2 and 3 inch sizes · 1/2 inch round pebbles · Shovel · Tamping tool
Plan the course of the dry creek bed
First look for the problem area where water will get out of control. The best time for this is when it’s raining. Find the beginning point of the water and watch its flow to see where the water goes.
You will need a creek for the water to drain into or a pond for excess water to be stored when you have a bad storm or flood. Once you know where the water will head it’s time to lie out your dry creek.
Note: you may want to contact the conservation department or your local Extension Agency for more help
For a natural look create gentle curves and turns that resemble a meandering stream. This will also help to slow the excess water down. Redirect the bottom of the stream away from buildings and plants for proper drainage.
Dig the outline using a shovel; making sure the creek bed is slightly deeper in the middle. Use the excess soil to build up mounds along the sides of the dry creek bed. Tamp the soil down with a tamping tool. This will help set the soil and base of the dry creek.
Dry creek beds are usually about 3 feet wide and 1 1/2 inches deep. Mine, due to the large run off my property has will be twice as wide.
Lay landscape fabric in the creek bed to keep weeds from growing and as an additional precaution against soil erosion. Avoid getting any of the dirt on the fabric.
Place the large boulders here and there along the sides of the creek bed and settle them in 1 to 2 inches deep. This will hold the landscaping fabric in place and add to the natural look you are trying to create.
Scatter the largest size of river rock over the fabric of the creek bed. Next add an inch deep layer of pebbles over everything.
Toss the remaining sizes of river rock randomly down the dry creek bed. To help set the pebbles, walk around on the pebbles to press them in place.
Plants and tall ornamental grasses will soften the edges of the dry riverbed and make it a place to enjoy. You may want to place a bench, gazebo or small bridge over the creek.