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Waterworks/Wetland #866947

Asked May 03, 2024, 5:17 PM EDT

Hello, A seasonal creek runs in my backyard. There are large farming fields surrounding the area that have their drain outlets that dump into the creek. This is where the creek originates from/starting point. In the spring/heavy rain, the creek becomes a huge, fast moving river and floods the area. Normally, the creek is mostly muck, some standing, swampy water with cattails majority of the year. However, further down the creek it eventually does have flowing water and actually feeds into a local reservoir. I am interested in possible permaculture solutions that I can implement to better improve the creek, along with my backyard. Since the water table is higher around the creek, the back 3/4 acres of my property remains highly saturated with water and makes it impossible to mow due to the bogginess. I am not sure who to reach out to, or if there is anything that I can implement to improve this area. I would prefer to implement a solution that benefits both my backyard and the creek bed.

Huron County Ohio

Expert Response

Greetings, Megan, and thank you for your excellent question to AskExtension/Ask a Master Gardener. I think I can point you in the right direction so you can develop a solution to your soggy backyard. It is admirable that you are looking to improve not only your property but also to conserve and improve the health of your creek. It is an ambitious, but achievable goal.

Just a note: I am a Master Gardener Volunteer. In preparing a response to your question I have consulted research-based sites to ensure current and accurate information. Links to the best of these sites are embedded in the response and/or listed at the end of my response. If you have further questions or need clarification you can respond to this email and your response will come directly to me. I would love to know if my response was helpful to you, and it would be helpful to our group if you would complete the very brief survey at the end of the response.

In answer to your question: It sounds like a large part of your yard is a wetland, and your narrative leads me to believe that you understand the ecological value of such. I see you live in Huron County, Ohio. Your first step should be to contact Huron County Soil and Water Conservation District. They can provide you with friendly guidance, and paperwork/permits if needed. Discussing your plan with them will help ensure that your actions are helpful and not harmful to the wetland and watershed near your home. Their advice may include some of the following solutions.

Swales or Drainage Ditches Depending on the pitch of your property in relation to the creek, you might choose to create a natural pathway for your property to drain into the creek. This is, of course, if your intent is to drain the land rather than leave it a wetland. This would be an excellent topic for discussion with the above-named Conservation District representative.

Rain Gardens A rain is “a type of garden strategically located so that it can intercept storm water and allow it to soak into the soil.” (Penn State Extension). Your “rain garden” might be different from those commonly described, which are most often structured with a berm surround, but the principles would apply. I imagine yours as having a berm toward the highest end of your property and sloping toward the creek. (Of course I have never seen the property, so my imaginings could be way off.) You would amend the soil with compost and then plant this area with native trees and plants that are tolerant to both wet and drier conditions. The improved soil and additional plants will absorb and utilize the rain and runoff, allowing time for the water to pass into the water table below. I’ve included numerous resources below that give specifics about rain gardens and native Ohio plants for wetlands. (One important note: one article included a recommendation to use sand in your soil amendment. If your soil contains clay, adding sand is not recommended, as sand plus clay creates a hard-pack akin to concrete that is not favorable to water absorption. See here. The Conservation District should be able to advise you as the soil content in your area.)

It will take planning, effort and patience, but over time you should be able to transform your “boggy” creek bed into the beautiful permaculture of your dreams, filled with native Ohio wildflowers, grasses and trees. You already have a natural drainage site (the creek) and most importantly you have the desire to work with the ecology at hand to improve the environmental health of both your property and the creek.

I wish you the best of luck and invite you to write back any time.

Resources about Raingardens, native Ohio wetland plants and more

General Information

EPA: What You Can Do to Soak Up the Rain https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/what-you-can-do-soak-rain

Huron County Ohio Soil and Water Conservation District http://www.huronswcd.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/HuronSWCD/

Franklin County Ohio - Gardening for Clean Water https://www.franklinswcd.org/gardening-for-clean-water

NH’s Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management https://www4.des.state.nh.us/SoakNH/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NH-Homeowner-Guide-2016.pdf

Rain Gardens

University of Illinois – Rain Gardens: Designs, Plant Lists and Suppliers https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=347854&p=2345331

University of NG – How Do I Build a Rain Garden (Video) https://extension.unh.edu/resource/how-do-i-build-rain-garden-video

Native Ohio Plants and Ohio Wetland Plants

Ohio Native Plant List https://www.ohionativeplantmonth.org/native-plant-list

Ohio State Extension – Native Shrubs https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5813 Native Plants https://plantpath.osu.edu/nativeplants

Ohio Wetland Species https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/natural-areas/factsheets/Wetlands.pdf

Ohio Floodplain Species https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/natural-areas/factsheets/Floodplains.pdf

Adding Sand to Clay Soil 

University of Illinois – Does Sand Improve Soil Drainage? https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2018-01-31-does-sand-improve-clay-soil-drainage

Best Regards, Replied May 05, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT

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