Question
Dear Sean:

There is a 25-foot drainage ditch that runs through my front yard and under my driveway. I have two problems with this culvert: 1. there is always water standing in it even when we haven't had rain. 2. the soil on either side of the paved driveway has washed away over the culvert. The ditch is graded at about a 50-degree angle and we keep the grass mowed.

The HOA said there is a problem at the end of the ditch but that it's not their responsibility. I've contacted the department of transportation and they've indicated that the ditch is not in their right of way. But I couldn't get the bureaucrat on the other end of the phone to tell me what steps I can take as the homeowner to reduce the standing water. I also want to know what do to prevent further soil errosion -- I don't want to come home and find my driveway caved in. The community is about 14 years old and the builder used 6x6 wood posts to shore up the driveway surrounding the actual culvert. (I hope this description is adequate to help you "see" the problem.)

We're first-time homeowners and really clueless about managing the great outdoors. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.

Best regards,
Yvonne

Answer
There is only one way to get water out. Re-grade the ditch. But that may not be possible without getting on the property of others.
It sounds like you should have a Landscape Architect or civil engineer come to your house and pay for a real consultation. This is really not something I can advise you on remotely.