How To Build A Rock Drainage Ditch

I agree; drainage problems are every homeowner’s worst nightmare.

What seems like innocent, muddy pools of water may seep into the ground to damage the foundation of your home. Hence, you should never ignore such signs and always keep an eye on the exterior drainage system to avoid such problems.

So, when I noticed mild water buildup on my lawn (mainly from torrential rains), I immediately asked my husband to get it checked. As he kept on delaying it, I got frustrated and went to live with my son until he got it fixed. This move worked wonders as he took on the job himself the very next day!

Upon coming back, I saw a rock drainage ditch in my yard, decorated with rocks and plants. To reward him for his hard work, I cooked his favorite meal as he walked me through the process of building it. 

Later that week, I decided to document the steps for all my readers who might be looking to build one. Hi! I’m Stacy, and today, I have curated this guide on how to build a rock drainage ditch.

Let’s get into the deets!

Why Use Rocks For Drainage?

In case you’re wondering why rocks should be used for drainage in the first place, allow me to quickly summarize the benefits. 

Starting with aesthetics, water flowing above rocks renders a charming look like nothing else. In fact, a rock drainage ditch can also serve as a water feature without requiring the extra effort to build one separately. And depending on the location and available space, you can use different types of rocks or even gravels, like pea gravels.

Moreover, rocks don’t degrade with time and practically become a permanent component of your yard’s drainage system without requiring frequent maintenance. And since rocks are capable of absorbing more sunlight than other materials, they help in melting ice faster by radiating the stored heat at night. As a result, you’ll have your snow-clearing effort cut out!

How To Build A Rock Ditch?

Now that you know about the advantages of having a rock drainage ditch, it’s time to dive into the steps of building one. But before that, here are the things you’ll need:

• Shovel
• Rocks or pebbles
• Hammer
• Work gloves
• Wheelbarrow
• Plant containers

Step 1 

Before you get started with the job, make sure to check on the permit requirements in your county or city (if applicable). For instance, there may be certain rules and regulations for redirecting water, especially if you have a lake or stream in the vicinity. 

You’d also want to ensure that the water flowing out of your yard doesn’t damage the properties in the immediate neighborhood. I’d highly recommended following the natural flow of water along the slope. But if your yard doesn’t have a natural hill, you may consider altering the landscape.

Alternatively, you may change the direction of the water flow. However, keep in mind that the highest point of the drain should be the location where the water stands and the lowest where the water should actually exist. 

Step 2

Begin constructing the ditch by removing all the vegetation, rocks, and topsoil along the pathway of the ditch. If you plan to preserve the plants, put them in soil-filled plant containers. Otherwise, you may add them to the green manure for your garden. Use the wheelbarrow to move both the plants and topsoil to the desired location.

Step 3

With the preparation part over, start breaking the ground with the shovel to build the ditch. Keep in mind that the depth will depend on the amount of water to be drained, and the width should always be more than the depth. 

Ideally, you should maintain a 2:1 ratio between the width and the depth of the ditch. You’d want to achieve a gentle slope so that the water from the edges gradually flows to the center. And a ditch with steep or deep sides will not help the purpose. Continue building the pathway while maintaining more or less the same shape throughout.

Step 4

Once you have the desired length and depth, fill the bottom of the ditch with pebbles or small rocks. If the rocks are too big, break them into two or three pieces and line the bottom of the ditch. You may also use gravels, but they should be big enough so that the water flow doesn’t wash them away.

Similarly, place the larger rocks on the side to support the overall structure and shape of the ditch. Additionally, these will assist the growth of the ground cover. 

If you want to plant grass here, place a landscape cloth over the gravels at the bottom and add some more above the cloth to secure it. Next, add about 2.5 inches of topsoil before putting in the grass seeds. 

Since I am a plant lover, my husband designed the ditch to resemble a “creek bed” by placing large stones along its path, filling in the creek with shrubs and ornamental plants. And I must say that I loved this touch!

When Should You Call A Professional?

I’d strongly recommend hiring professionals for the job if you haven’t dealt with such DIY projects before or the configuration of the surrounding land has changed. Other than that, you can get the soil and exterior drainage checked to ensure that there is no debris buildup hampering the drainage.

Again, make sure that the professional service you’re hiring is familiar with the operational regulations and has the necessary license. Otherwise, you may end up employing the wrong solution for your problem.

Conclusion