Stormwater, flooding, water flow and overland flow issues after Cyclone Marcia

Tropical Cyclone Marcia inundated Brisbane and South-East Queensland with rain this week. You may have a range of issues including blocked drains, storm water flooding, water flow and overland flow issues in your garden and around your property. 

Now that you have identified flooding hot spots on your property, there are four main stormwater management solutions to improve your overland waterflow and prevent house flooding, and backyard flooding from occurring again:

1. Re-direct overland flow water

As a priority, stormwater needs to be directed away from the building on your property to prevent damage to the footings or the building. This can be done by using swales and banking to influence direction of flow. Erosion is the key issue with stormwater re-direction. Possible erosion can be mitigated or controlled by using soil-stabilising treatments such as installation of a dry creek bed, turfed areas or vegetated gardens using grasses and groundcovers to stabilise the soil.

2. Control overland flow water

You can also use drainage pits to collect and control stormwater. Once contained within subterranean pipes, the water can be directed and released without damage to the earth surface.

3. Prevent drains clogging up

One of the most significant causes of storm damage from storm water is due to existing drains clogging up with leaves and debris. This can be reduced by planting heavy grasses around the collection pits to ‘filter’ the litter. 

4. Maintain aesthetic appeal

Through good design it is easily possible to maintain the aesthetic appeal of these treatments without becoming an eyesore. By using correct plant selection, creative concepts and a designer with the full understanding of water management, you can develop a feature or focal point for overland water flow issues, as well as a practical solution. See our client’s properties at Red Hill, Paddington, and Indooroopilly in Brisbane for great examples of creating a feature that also creates adequate drainage for these properties.

For more information on solving flooding issues on your property due to storm water drainage, please contact me at SEED Landscape Design.