Site Drainage
Redirecting Water the Right Way
You can’t stop water—you can only redirect it. In the natural landscape, stormwater finds its way to streams, rivers, and eventually the ocean. But in the built environment, water flows to the lowest point—which could be your basement.
That’s why site drainage is something we take very seriously at Rye Beach Landscaping. Whether it’s a new construction project or an expansion on an existing lot, improperly managed water can lead to costly damage over time.
Practical Drainage Solutions
We’ve worked with many skilled site engineers over the years who have come up with creative, effective ways to manage stormwater. Here are some of the key methods we use:
Foundation Drains
Installed during construction, foundation drains—also known as footing drains—are your first line of defense. These systems collect and redirect water away from your foundation. Two critical elements: using the right grade of backfill sand and installing geotextile fabric to prevent clogging in the pipe.
This is a “do it once, do it right” scenario—you only get one chance to get it right before your foundation is covered.
Drainage Swales
Subtle grading and landscape contouring can be used to direct water away from key areas like foundations or driveways. We use surveyor topography designs to sculpt the land and create natural drainage swales that blend seamlessly into the landscape.
Culverts
A culvert is a type of trench or under-drain that moves water from one area to another—often under a driveway, roadway, or through low-lying terrain. Culverts are ideal for channeling concentrated stormwater flow in a controlled way.
Detention and Retention Ponds
These are large-scale solutions typically designed by civil engineers or hydrologists:
Detention ponds temporarily hold and process large volumes of water, then drain out slowly—often used in highway systems or flood-prone areas.
Retention ponds are designed to hold water permanently, slowly releasing it through natural seepage. These are common in residential developments and help manage stormwater over time.
Catch Basins and Dry Wells
While they may look similar, catch basins and dry wells serve different functions:
A catch basin collects water through a grate and channels it through an outlet pipe. It also traps sediment at the bottom, which must be cleaned out periodically.
A dry well is a closed, underground system filled with free-draining gravel. Water enters the well and slowly seeps into the surrounding soil—ideal for areas with standing water.
Built on Experience
Whether you're building a new home or dealing with standing water at an existing one, Rye Beach Landscaping brings 25 years of site drainage expertise to every project. We understand the importance of getting it right the first time—because when it comes to water, it always finds a way.