Los Angeles got a much needed soak during the last 2 weeks. The clouds opened up and let us have it! I don’t have rain barrels connected to my downspouts (yet) but I was still able to keep most of the water run off  in my yard  when the saturated soil put out its’ “no vacancy” sign.  Instead of relying on traditional drains to carry extra water off to the street, I employ some design tricks that divert the water to dry river beds located at lowpoints of a yard. When there is no rain, the dry rivers are a beautiful detail in the garden, but when it rains, they go to work!

This channel is packed with 8″ of pea gravel

The ponding problem in this garden was solved with a gravel and stone river

This cobble river was top dressed with  cobalt  blue tumbled glass for an artistic “water effect”

Low points in the garden can become aesthetic highlights!

These days, its good to be a water hog and keep all the water you can get in your own yard,and not contribute to urban runoff.  Dry rivers can solve drainage issues and can also be a part of an integrated water catching system. They are ideal placed near downspouts and low areas of the yard. If you use an underground water  resevoir  basin, or French drain, the water can be caught and diverted to other areas of the yard for later use,  instead of the street.