A low area in this St. Louis backyard was collecting runoff and gradually losing soil. The homeowner needed more than additional grading or new grass because water would continue moving toward the same low point and causing erosion.
We addressed the problem by rebuilding the grade and installing a retaining wall along the affected side of the yard. The wall gave us a solid way to hold the new grade in place and restore the ground that had been washing away.
The Backyard Was Losing Soil From Water Runoff
The backyard naturally directed runoff toward the low corner near the property line. As water repeatedly moved through this area, it carried soil with it and made that section of the yard increasingly difficult to maintain.
Adding soil alone would only provide a temporary improvement. Before rebuilding the area, we needed a plan that would both stabilize the ground and manage the water contributing to the erosion.
That meant combining the retaining wall with a dedicated drainage system.
Building a Retaining Wall to Stop the Erosion
We built the retaining wall along the low side of the property so the eroded area could be brought back up to a more consistent grade.
The wall holds the rebuilt ground in place while creating a clean, defined edge along the backyard. With the grade restored, we could then address the runoff that had been moving toward this area in the first place.
Installing a Drain Box to Collect Backyard Runoff
Because water naturally traveled toward the far corner of the yard, we installed a drain box collection system at that low point.
The drain box captures runoff before it can continue moving across the surface. From there, the collected water is carried through underground drainage pipe and routed toward the front yard for discharge.
This gives the water a planned path through the property instead of allowing it to continue contributing to erosion along the back of the yard.
A Rebuilt Yard With Better Drainage
With the retaining wall, rebuilt grade, and drainage system working together, the homeowner now has a much cleaner and more manageable backyard.
The retaining wall supports the restored ground, while the drain box and underground piping collect and redirect runoff away from the problem area. The disturbed lawn was then restored to finish the project and bring the yard back together.
Instead of repeatedly repairing an eroding section of the property, the homeowner now has a solution built around how water actually moves through the yard.