H2O problem

I want to know if anyone has ever experienced this, and what ,if anything, can be added to the soil for absorption. We live in a new subdivision near Boise. The neighbor behind us and on the west side of us, have sprinkler systems that drain into my back yard. We had lawn curbing installed along the back fence, and the water accumulates in that area, creating a 3-4 inch deep puddle. We have gotten the builders landscapers to turn the watering times down, but we still get seepage. The trees and bushes I planted are being affected by the excessive water. Aside from the neighbors excessive watering, is there anything I can add to the soil to absorb the moisture? I do not plan on planting anything in those areas now. I may just decorate with rocks. Any help would be appreciated.

You could take advantage of the water and turn it into a bog garden. Plant things like elephant ears, japanese, louisiana and siberian iris.........lots of other things too, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Just a thought though. :o)

Look at your next down hill neighbor and send it to them in drain pipe dug into the low spot and continued down. Act like the contractors on the up hill neighbor's project. I'm so glad I don't live in the city anymore. Actually you could dig a sump hole and fill it with gravel and then cover it with a decorative rock garden. Send us a picture its hard to envision.

It is illegal in most areas to allow run off from your property to another. Find out what the regs are in your area. If there are any, let your neighbor know in a friendly way. If they're good people and unaware of their responsibility, they may take care of the problem. If a contractor installed the system they may be on teh hook to deal with the runoff. If not you could consider taking legal action or taking care of the problem yourself.

In the past I have redone a rockery and added drains in our yard to redirect our runoff into the storm water system that otherwise would have gone into our neighbors yard.

Good luck,
jb

That's because you're a GOOD neighbor Jr Balloon. Most others would put up a fuss at the thought of such expense and effort. We have the unfortunate experience of having not-so-good neighbors building a house down our driveway for 1.5 years -- slow, real slow. They PARK in our 10 foot easement driveway- the only ingress egress to our home. There is no way around: huge treetrunks on either side. Work trucks, heavy equipment, visitors' cars, their cars; doesn't seem to matter. There is another house affected by their blocking antics. Ticks us off royally.

I just wonder how they'll like it when I relocate the goat barn and pasture about 60 ft from their back deck. Inconsiderate yuppie scum!

I think mgh has a wonderful idea. There are plenty of plants that need constant water and you could set up a beautiful area with them. A tree or two and a water feature of some sort using the extra water from above could make a lovely feature spot for you. The Sunset Western Garden Book has a list of plants that do well in wet areas. Dotti

Having lived in Nampa, Idaho several lifetimes ago - I remember what it was like when the irrigation gates were opened and your yard filled w/ water whether or not you wanted it. Of course, we were only renters back in those days - so we had no say-so about any of it. The Boise Valley can be hot and dry, so it may be some kind of blessing in disguise to have water provided free of charge. I would agree to making use of it!!!!