HomeMy WebLinkAboutCityofEdinaFloodResilienceFactSheets-03-24-2020_Accessory structuresFor more information on flood resilience, contact the Engineering Department at 952-826-0371.
Helpful websites
https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/manage-flood-risk
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/flood-proof-landscaping/
https://www.owntheyard.com/how-to-fix-backyard-flooding/
https://aibd.org/6-backyard-flooding-solutions-landscaping-storm-proof-yard/
The damage that can be caused by flood water doesn’t stop at your front door. The way you care for your yard and how you site
and construct accessory structures can reduce both flood exposure and vulnerability.
Actions for Flood Resilient Homes:
Floodproofing Accessory Structures and Yards
Floodproofing yards
There are many options you can consider to reduce flooding in your yard.
• Make sure your yard is properly graded: Patios, driveways, walkways, flowerbeds—if possible, they should all be graded so
that the water flows away from the house.
• Install a rain garden: Rain gardens protect your yard from flooding by allowing runoff water to pool and slowly percolate
into the ground. See the City’s factsheet for more information on rain gardens.
• Install dry wells: Dry wells are underground structures that help rainwater dissipate into the ground. They can be used for
wet spots or small, flood-prone areas on your property.
• Create or take advantage of natural swales: Swales are depressions in the landscape that redirect water flow, normally
to a dry well or a garden bed with good drainage. You can slow the flow by lining the lowest point with rocks or adding
deep-rooted plants on the slope.
• Use heavier mulch: Light-weight mulch can spread under flooding conditions, clogging drains. If using mulch near your
home’s exterior, make sure the mulch is at least 6 inches from your siding to prevent moisture wicking and rotting.
• Replace impervious surfaces: Impervious (non-porous) surfaces increase runoff. Replace them with pervious materials or
landscaping.
• Drain your driveway: Driveways are a big contributor to stormwater runoff. You can mitigate the impact of that
stormwater by adding drainage on the sides of the pavement—or by replacing the pavement with a pervious surface.
• Plant a tree: Trees create a leafy canopy that intercepts rainfall and reduces runoff. According to the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation, a typical street tree can intercept from 500 to 760 gallons of water per year, depending on the species.
Before flood action During flood action After flood action
Floodproofing accessory structures
Your yard is an extension of your living space, which needs
to be protected. The first step in floodproofing is to site
the accessory structures on your property—your patio, fire
table/pit, garden shed, gazebo—on high ground. You can
also reduce your vulnerability by building these structures
with flood-resistant materials. See the City’s factsheet on
Wet Floodproofing for a list of flood-resistant materials.
You should also secure yard items to prevent them from
being damaged or swept away. Anchor them or attach
them to more stable structures.
Other considerations
Parts of the City of Edina are within the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District, which offers cost-share grants for rain
gardens. The minimum grant is $500 and requires a 25% match.
To see if your home is located within the district and to learn
more about the grant program, go to:
https://www.ninemilecreek.org/.