Question
In the back of our back yard in the spring we get water across the backyard, a real mudpit and you can't mow till later in summer when it drys. We have ben told that the reason is that originally when the houses were built a stream ran through that part of the area and that they filled the stream in with the trees they cut down. Not sure if it is true but that is what an older neighbor had said. it runs beteween the abutting properties in a few yards that we know off. If this is the case is there anything that can be done.

Answer
Hello:

Find the source of the water and then divert the water to another location if possible. This could possibly be done with drain pipe or ditches. Perhaps retention areas could be built under or near the wet area. These are pits filled with loose rocks or gravel or permeable soil or sand. The water soaks into the pits and either soaks into the ground below or is diverted to another location. If a spring or stream is the source of the water,perhaps a dam could be constructed and then a retention pit could be constructed under the dam or water from the dam could be diverted to another location. If the source of the water is a high water table,field drain or wells may be the answer.


Mark Harshman


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