How to Create a DIY Dry Creek Bed in Your Yard

Create an eye-catching, water-diverting dry river bed for your yard and watch your drainage woes disappear.

Ian Adams

A dry creek bed manages a common landscape challengedrainagewith an easy-does-it approach thatfits most budgets.

In other cases, a dry bed transforms into a temporary stream.

dry creek in landscaped garden

Credit:Ian Adams

In the process, it adds beauty to the setting, whether wet or dry.

By creating a channel, a dry creekdrains waterwhen insufficient slope fails to do so.

Construction is the easy part.

dry creek illustration how-to digging trench with shovel backhoe

It’s careful planning that ensures the design’s success.

Don’t assume you’re free to direct water into a public street without researching local ordinances.

Excavate Site

Evaluate your yard to determine the location and size of your dry creek bed.

dry creek illustration how-to tamping down on bed

After determining the size and shape of the dry stream bed, excavate12-15 inches of soil.

This can be done with a backhoe or a shovel.

Tamp the ground firm to create a flat surface with angled sides.

dry creek illustration how-to shovel rock onto soil

Then, place landscape fabric over the entire surface, including the angled sides of the dry creek.

This willprevent weedsfrom popping through.

Addriver rockalong the edges of the dry creek bed for a natural look.

dry creek illustration how-to place rocks on bank

Use various sizes, from 2 to 8 inches in length.

you could create a single row of rocks or a larger border with a few rows.

In addition to size, consider the rock’s color.

dry creek illustration how-to place concrete for stones

A monochromatic look will give your yard a different ambience than a blend of neutrals.

Position four large flat-top rocks so they can support aflagstone bridge.

Anchor the stones in place with cement so they won’t move with freezing and thawing.

Then, place the large flagstone piece on the supports.