Driveway water runoff problem (drain, installing, pipe, tile)

[JonahWicky]

I'm looking for some creative ideas to control erosion along the side of my driveway. The water generally runs in a sheet flow towards a large drainage ditch, which is in an easement belonging to the city. There are 2 slight dips along the driveway edge where a majority of the water funnels to. There's some erosion at these locations, and I want to get it under control before it undermines the driveway.

One of my thoughts is to create some sort of low curbing with openings at those 2 spots, possibly adding a short piece of pipe or splash blocks so the water gets into the ditch without washing down the slope. My cheap and dirty fix might be simply some 2x6 treated lumber, but I feel that would look tacky.

Another thought is some sort of landscape materials, like erosion fabric, sod, ground cover, etc. The city tried sod a while ago and it didn't take at all. They come in periodically to clean the ditch, so I don't want to do anything that they would end up destroying in the process.

I'm sure there are other possibilities that you guys might be able to suggest. Any input would be most welcome.

[harry chickpea]

Kudzu.


It looks like people may be using the area just off the pavement as a walkway (too narrow a pad?).

Perhaps permeable landscape cloth, covered with crushed rock, and with a landscape border towards the ditch to hold it in place.

Depending on the flow, perhaps drain tile and cover.

What was the prep work before installing the concrete?

[BirdieBelle]

Have you asked them about putting rip rap there? It may not be deep enough, but they need to do something to shore up the dirt.

To me, this is the city's problem to solve.

[K'ledgeBldr]

I think you need to do a concerted effort.

Just taking on this type of project with the potential threat of it being destroyed/removed by the AHJ is a waste of time and resources. Speak with someone in the public works dept- ask what exactly is the ditch for, how it is suppose to be maintained, and what if anything you or they can do that will both maintain the integrity of the ditch AND your drive.

Putting the drive that close to the easement/ditch was probably not in your best interest. Someone probably wasn't thinking long term...

[harry chickpea]

I like KB's answer better than mine.