Bridge Over Water Troubles

I started to do some reading about things like French drains, rain gardens, and dry creek beds, but did not take immediate action. During discussions with my neighbors, I learned there used to be a drainage ditch across the back of the property. The city dumped in construction debris, and then covered it over, so the water has no place to go. I thought to myself that I could have used that info prior to purchasing the house. After watching the rains come down a few times, flooding seemed to start in the back corner behind the garage. My thought was that if I could keep it back there, maybe I could salvage the rest of the yard. The final straw was the drizzly day we came home from work to see a pair of Mallard ducks paddling across the backyard. 

After all the yakkety-yak and a ton of reading, I decided to dig a trench and fill it with rocks, using pretty ones on top that would give the appearance of a dry creek bed. I sprinkled the ground with flour to mark the area where I wanted to dig, and my husband measured and estimated the amount of rock, gravel, and landscape fabric we would need. I started digging at 6:00 am on that fine Saturday and finished around sunset. The next day we lined the trench with landscape fabric and added the rock my husband bought the prior day. The end result is a trench that holds back the water if we get less than 3" of rain in a single shot. It is enough to allow me to successfully plant a garden, to which I can invite my friends. 

We found a bridge that helps to sell the idea that it is a creek bed instead of just a water retention ditch

When we get more than 3" of rain the water still has its wicked way with my yard, but my plants seem to survive that rare occurrence. If my back was a little younger, I would love to increase the length of the trench, winding it throughout the garden. Maybe the next family that lives here will consider it after their first nor'easter. I consider the project a success, but I do miss those ducks!