Drainage Concerns

Standing water in small swale depressions for less than 48 hours is not necessarily considered a drainage issue. If the water is ponding and not causing erosion or sediment runoff into nearby bodies of water, then there is no imminent natural resource concern. Allowing the water to stay in place and soak into the ground helps recharge the local groundwater aquifer that is strained by urban development. Furthermore, ponding that stays in place and does not enter nearby bodies of water limits the potential impact of stream bank erosion, pollution, fish kills, and more. Most ponding or standing water concerns by landowners are not a true natural resource concern, but a land use, aesthetic, or maintenance concern for the property owner. While we know standing water can be frustrating, not all temporary standing water is bad. 

Reasons for drainage and ponding circumstances are partially or mostly a result of the following:

1. Hamilton County, historically, was mostly covered in a forested wetland prior to settlement. It is the nature of the soil type and geology in this county for it to be wet.
2. The aquifer from the 2012 drought has finally rebounded, meaning that water has fewer places to go.
3. Urban development, which continues at a high rate, creates more areas of non-pervious surfaces (e.g. roofs, parking lots, driveways, roads, etc). This water must go somewhere and when it does, it moves in faster, more concentrated flows.
4. Urban development causes soil compaction and other adverse soil conditions, rendering the soil ineffective at allowing water to infiltrate as quickly as if the soil were healthy.
5. Urban soils typically have less organic matter due to overfertilization and development. Organic matter improves the soil's capacity to store water and release it slowly as the weather conditions allow.
6. According to recent research produced by Purdue University and other scientists around the state, Central Indiana, like many places in the Midwest, has seen and will continue to see greater amounts of rainfall in the winter and spring seasons. The rain events will be more severe, intense, and likely to cause natural resource concerns.

Standing water can also be the result of structural issues like:

• silting of swales, creating high and low spots or grade inconsistencies (water doesn't move through swales as originally designed and intended)
• poor construction
• installation of a fence, other construction, or filling of the swale performed by a property owner
• landscaping within the drainage easement
• sump pump discharge
• irrigation line leaks or roof downspouts directed beneath the surface toward the drainage easement that have not been properly daylighted
• subsurface drain tile that is clogged with roots or sediment and needs to be maintained

In some neighborhoods, there may be subsurface drainage tile in your yard from a previous farm. Parts of it may continue to function and pool water in certain areas of your lawn.

Things to Avoid

• Avoid placing fill dirt in the areas of concern. Raising the soil level will not automatically alleviate ponding or drainage issues. In some instances, it will make them worse or move the problem to another location nearby.
  
  

Things to Consider

• Rain gardens and native plantings improve water infiltration. Consider installing one of these to help improve your situation while benefiting birds and other wildlife. Sometimes shifting from grass to another type of planting can alleviate frustrations related to difficult management (mowing wet areas). 
  • Learn more about rain gardens and native plantings. 
  • Our tool loan program also has tools and books for checkout that could be helpful. 
• Improve soil health by adding organic matter from compost. 
• Remove any barriers in swales that are limiting water movement (sheds, fences, play equipment, raised bed gardens, woody vegetation, excess soil, etc.)
• You may need to consult with a private drainage contractor for regrading, subsurface drain tile, or "French drains", or other drainage solutions.
• Keep street drains clear of debris.
• Use downspout extenders to discharge gutters at least 10 feet from your home's foundation. 

Additional Resources:

Drainage Guide/Fact sheet

Residential Guide to Drainage

Principles of Exterior Drainage Guide

The SWCD provides on-site drainage assistance in limited situations. 

• The standing water remains after over 48 hours of no rain
• The drainage or ponding could cause or is causing damage to existing built structures
• . The drainage or ponding is causing soil erosion and worsening water quality (e.g. runoff from the drainage is carrying soil with it into nearby bodies of water like ponds and streams)

Please note that standing water in small swale depressions for less than 48 hours is not considered a drainage issue. 

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