Overland water flow solutions in Landscape Design

Brisbane and surrounding areas have our fair share of flooding and overland water flow issues.Fair, as in unfair.But with the knowledge that our climate is unpredictable and that water will continue to be an issue for South-East QLD residences, we need to manage water flow proactively.

There are four main points to solve stormwater or overland flow issues to prevent house flooding:

1. Direct overland flow

Firstly, the stormwater needs to be directed away from the building to prevent damage to building or footings.This can be done by using swales and banking to influence flow.Erosion is the key failure with this method, but can be controlled by using soil-stabilising treatments such as dry creek bed, turfed areas or vegetated gardens using grasses and groundcovers to stabilise the soil.

2. Control overland flow water

Use drainage pits will collect and control the 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 biggest 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 aesthetic appeal of water flow issues using these treatments without them becoming an eyesore.Correct plant selection, creative concepts and full understanding of the issue and solution can develop a feature or focal point rather than just a means to an end.

See some great examples of our work solving overland flow at thisIndooroopilly propertyand thisRed Hill property.

Contact usat SEED Landscape Design to help design and integrate an overland water flow solution to your Brisbane landscape.