Drainage ditch in yard

[GrassAndWater12]

Here’s my situation.... Rainwater was pooling in my driveway and it was obvious the lawn was higher than the driveway so I decided to tackle the job.

After doing my research I learned it’s the counties job to dig it out, so I called them and within a few days they came out and dug what you see in the photo. It’s not as sloped as I would like it so I am going to work on that but I need some recommendations on what to do for appearance/functionality?

For example gravel at the beginning of the ditch, sod the sides so it won’t erode, erosion netting, etc? This is the front of my yard so it has to look good or I could go a million other routes rather than what the county says I have to do, no dry wells, French drains etc.

All advice is welcome. I have centipede grass and live in southern GA.

[Delmarva Keith]

If you call them again, will they fill it back in? I’m serious. Fill it back in and then post photos of whatever issue it was with the driveway. Only other “sure” way to deal with it would be a sump pit at the low end and a lift pump to nearest storm drain. Just my own preference here but I’d rather have water on the driveway than that swale.

[g-man]

The county wont let you do a french drain? Where is that water supposed to go? I dont see a storm drain. A pipe with a grate near your driveway will be nice, so you could backfill with dirt and have a flat yard. The problem is still the path for the water to take.

[Grass Clippins]

@GrassAndWater12 I knew someone with a similar issue. They had to get a sod cutter to roll up their lawn, regrade for proper drainage and then roll the sod back out. Hopefully you won’t have to go that route but it was a permanent fix.

[Grass Clippins]

....wait. I just noticed your driveway is dipped to hold water, what the heck? They could have cut a channel at the trough of the dip and installed a channel drain to keep the water moving.

[adgattoni]

....wait. I just noticed your driveway is dipped to hold water, what the heck? They could have cut a channel at the trough of the dip and installed a channel drain to keep the water moving.

Yeah doesn't this create a "don't drown; turn around" situation in every driveway in this neighborhood? All the ditch-style drainage I've seen has the driveway level and a culvert underneath. Seems like an odd design to let the water flood over everyone's driveways.

[Grass Clippins]

@adgattoni I know I’m fasinated with this now...

@GrassAndWater12 when the water was flowing did it move towards the camera or away from it?

[GrassAndWater12]

It didn’t flow at all to begin with prior to the work. I’ll attach the before pic before the county came. The arrow is where it should drain. With the ditch it flows away from the camera but not all the way to the storm drain. I’d like to level the yard, put a channel drain in the bottom of the driveway and resod. Waiting on a few more bids.

All I know is something has to be done and fast. I live in an hoa and wife hates the ugly ditch.

[TN Hawkeye]

....wait. I just noticed your driveway is dipped to hold water, what the heck? They could have cut a channel at the trough of the dip and installed a channel drain to keep the water moving.

Yeah doesn't this create a "don't drown; turn around" situation in every driveway in this neighborhood? All the ditch-style drainage I've seen has the driveway level and a culvert underneath. Seems like an odd design to let the water flood over everyone's driveways.

Definitely an odd design. Cutting the sod out seems like a good first step but it needs to extend to the next property. Even if it was sloped correctly the grass would be unmowable with even a small amount of rain. Is the house next door occupied?

[GrassAndWater12]

Yes the house next door is occupied and I am on good terms with him. The county did dig on his property a few ft and he wasnt happy about that tho. He realizes that the hump from my house to his was preventing my water to go to the drain so he is on board with trying to get both our yards draining.

I have contacted a few landscapers and am waiting on a few more bids before I decide on who and what.

I live in southern GA if anyone would like to come out and give me an estimate and design plan I would appreciate it. Thanks again.