Drainage Solution with a Dry Creek Bed

Dry creek beds can be used for drainage away from homes that have insufficient slopes. They can also be used to minimize washing and erosion on slopes and banks.
Mark out the course you want your creek bed to take. Be imaginative; create meandering edges and varying widths. You can use rope, hoses or marking paint to mark out the edges.

Dry creek beds are normally wider than deep. The rule of thumb that they must be two to three times as wide as deep.
Lay weed barrier fabric end to end and side to side once the soil has been removed. Overlap all edges. (Be sure to lay the higher slope layer on top of an overlap.)
Use larger rocks or boulders along the edges and at turns.In the center use smaller rock (3/4” to 3”) which allows for some flow of water. Much of the water that accumulates will simply soak through to the bottom of your creek bed.
Plants add variety to the creek bed. You can plant either before or after laying the rocks. If you are putting in plants after laying the rock, you will need to move rocks around as you figure out your plant arrangements. Also, attempt to make the placement of the rocks and plantings look as natural as possible.

You can install a small bridge over your creek bed. This can be used to create interest, create movement and also to be functional. 


Photo from book  ‘Landscape Planning’ by Judith Adam
Most text taken from www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/19442/3028/2 (although now non existent)