Drainage Ditches and Landscaping

Slow and Filter

• Development strips the natural vegetative cover that slowed runoff and filtered rainfall and snowmelt. Bare soil increases the amount and rate of runoff, which can lead to erosion and water quality problems. Ditches collect runoff from developed areas and carry it to an approved outlet. They can also be designed to enhance erosion and sediment control to protect water quality. Some of the qualities of the native vegetation that kept the waterways clean are replaced with stone or grass or native species planted in the ditches.

Benefits for Water Quality

• Sediment collects in the water draining from developed areas. When sediment accumulates in water, it can harm water quality, threatening the health of humans and aquatic life. Drainage ditches help control the rate and amount of storm water runoff, diverting It from entering the waterways. First it disperses and drains slowly over stones and vegetation. These materials filter the storm water, trapping sediment and other substances and detaining them.

Landscaping and Runoff

• Grade your site so that storm water is channelled to swales planted with grass seed or lined with stones. Cover exposed soil with vegetation or mulch so that it doesn't wash away. Plant species with low water requirements to reduce watering and runoff, and retain native vegetation where you can. Collect roof water and rainwater in barrels and use it for watering. Apply fertilizer correctly; overuse of fertilizers causes pollution in nearby waterways.

Drainage Ditches and the Homeowner

• Erosion and debris from adjacent sites can interrupt the flow in a drainage ditch and cause storm water to backup. Excess runoff from over-watering or erosion can overwhelm the capacity of the ditch. If your property contains an easement with a drainage ditch, you may be responsible for maintaining it. Check local regulations and guidelines for restrictions on waste disposal, fertilizers and pesticides, and local standards for storm water runoff. Note also any special landscaping requirements, especially if you live near a waterway.