If your yard tends to flood after heavy rainfall, you can solve the problem by installing a dry creek bed. This attractive hardscape feature provides exceptional drainage while adding visual interest to your property. Here, Decorative Creations—the most experienced residential and commercial landscaping company in Greater Charlotte, NC—explains how they install a dry creek bed that can handle surface runoff.

How Professionals Install a Dry Creek Bed

1. Design the Creek Bed

First, your designer will identify where water accumulates most on your property. This will determine the starting point of the dry creek bed. Next, they will decide how and where the water should flow once heavy rainfall begins, so they can design the size and shape of the feature. A gentle curve or a slender S-shape are two popular choices.

2. Remove Topsoil

Then, landscaping professionals will remove turf and topsoil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches. The greater your property’s flooding problem, the wider the creek bed should be, but 30 to 36 inches is usually sufficient. The sides should slope to draw water naturally into the trough.

3. Lay Landscape Fabric

The hardscaping team will use a steel tamping tool to flatten the bottom of the creek bed and compress the earth. Next, they will lay landscape fabric along the bottom and sides to prevent weed growth.

4. Cover With Crushed Gravel

Your landscaping pros will then cover the bottom of the creek bed with a half-inch layer of crushed gravel. Most experts choose gravel with sharp edges to prevent the stones from rolling downstream when water begins to flow.

5. Line With River Rock

Finally, they will lay a swath of river rocks on either bank of the creek bed, leaving a 12- to 18-inch channel down the middle through which water can flow. Over time, moss will form, the rocks will settle, and your dry creek bed will look like a natural feature of the earth.

Decorative Creations of Greater Charlotte, NC, can facilitate the drainage your yard needs by installing a beautiful dry creek bed. They also specialize in other outdoor features, such as patios, retaining walls, and fire pits. Visit their website for a free estimate, or call (704) 847-7944 to discuss your options.