building a backyard stream

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by DawnsGarden, Mar 19, 2015.

  1. DawnsGarden

    DawnsGarden New Seed

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    This will be our 2nd summer in our new house. Last summer we noticed that part of our lawn was wet, really wet! We were only able to mow that section twice over the whole summer.
    It seems that there is runoff from the hill behind our house which is trying to make its way to the ditch by the road. The ditch is full of weeds and doesn't seem to be draining well at all. I called the local highway dept and had them come take a look. This was an unpleasant visit! I asked if they could clean the ditch out so it would be less congested, but they stressed that they couldn't dig it any deeper...
    One of the men recalled having been here before for the same issue with the previous owners
    It seemed the only option was to put in drainage diagonally across the lawn which would be very expensive!
    I pitched the idea of building a stream bed and got the green light from my husband :) now the next step is to start it before all the snow melts and its a mess. Honestly I'm kinda stumped! Where do I start? Where am I going to keep all that dirt? Where will I find enough rocks?(I try to do everything for free)
    Is there anyone with experience with this kind of project?
    The biggest concern at this point is if it will stay flowing or dry right up.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    image.jpg
    The stream would start by the pole and end.... image.jpg
    Between those clumps of grass
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2015
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  3. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    I have no advice, but am curious to see what you come up with and what others suggest. I have a similar situation (lots smaller though).
     
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  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I hope this video I found will help you out Dawn or at least give you some ideas to work with.

     
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  5. DawnsGarden

    DawnsGarden New Seed

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    Yes thank you. I have seen this video..today actually. I usually go for any idea I have, this is the first time I've second guessed myself. Like everything I do , limited brains, all heart... I'm going for snow or rain!:)
     
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  6. DawnsGarden

    DawnsGarden New Seed

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    Update on stream project-
    I've been able to get out and work on the stream for a few days. So glad I started when I did. The amount of water in the stream is almost unbelievable! Here's what I've gotten done so far... image.jpg first day image.jpg day three image.jpg image.jpg day five. Two or three more days of digging should finish it up. Can't wait to plant flowers around it and get all the rocks in place!
     
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  7. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Looking good already Dawn. I would really love to have a stream running through my garden but, sadly, there just isn't enough space for one.
     
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  8. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    That's quite an undertaking. I look forward to watching your progess.
     
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  9. Ms kitty 01

    Ms kitty 01 In Flower

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    Looks good. Can't wait to see pix when it's finished.
     
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  10. dyrne

    dyrne New Seed

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    if you space little log dams occasionally the water will fall down and dig further into the soil likely resulting in deeper little ponds that might stay full
     
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  11. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Great progress for day five and looking very impressive,..i hope you keep us up to date with further progress as i find your project very interesting,..thinking of plants along that stream,..yeah i would love that thought.
     
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  12. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Dawn, you have come up with a practical and beautiful solution to your problem! One word of advice--water goes where water wants to go, so hold off on planting any flowers until you see if the stream cuts its own bed, which may not be exactly what you planned.
    Meanwhile, you can collect and place rocks, and read up on stream-side plants.
    I admire the planning, work, and ingenuity that you have put into this! I agree with your statement about "all heart" but strongly disagree with "limited brains"!
     
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  13. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I'm liking the looks of this project! Can't wait to see how it turns out!
     
  14. CJay

    CJay In Flower

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    Check with your local contractors. Often times they will have broken bricks that they can't use and have to pay someone to haul them away. So you can use them as rock for free.
     
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