Wet Yard and Drainage Pits

by Rich
(Western NY)

I have a wet area in my yard that takes a few weeks to a month to drain.It is a low spot that the rest of the yard slopes into.The total size of the yard is 2+ acres.I have already dug a hole & filled with gravel. Similar to a dry well.However in a heavy rain or with a winter snow melt it still fills up& stays wet.

If I create a stone garden or stoned the area will that eliminate the wet area? Or will it just push the water to another area of the yard?

Rich

ANSWER

Hi Rich,
The problem is that the water does not have a chance to percolate down far enough. You might consider digging out the area much deeper than you probably have it to make it more like an actual drainage pit that would work, and fill it with stone.

Dimensions are typically based on the amount of water that is being led to it, so I can't tell you exactly, but as a guide, I would say dig down at least 5 to 8 feet and the area should be at least 5 to 7 feet in diameter. If you wanted to know exactly, you'd have to consult with an engineer.

When you say create a stoned area, I don't understand what the difference is between this and the gravel hole you have dug, unless you mean that you would be making it larger as I suggested above. The key is that the water has to have a chance to seep down into the ground so the area does not stay wet.

So you can try doing what I recommended.

If you contact an engineer, he could probably advise you better since he would find out how much water is draining to that area and the fee would probably not be too bad. There are actual calculations that they can do to recommend the right sized drainage pit. This might not only include your surface water but also might include water coming from your roof, gutters and leaders.