Heavy rain can be frustrating. Water pools in the yard, flows across driveways, and sometimes ends up where it doesn’t belong. While no property can be completely flood-proof, there are several steps homeowners can take to reduce flooding and help rainwater soak into the ground instead of rushing away.
The good news? Many of the most effective solutions are simple, affordable, and can improve your yard at the same time.
Start with Your Downspouts
Your roof collects a surprising amount of water during a storm. If downspouts discharge next to your foundation, all that water concentrates in one area.
A one-inch rain falling on a typical home can produce hundreds of gallons of runoff.
What to do:
- Extend downspouts away from your foundation.
- Direct water toward lawns or landscaped areas where it can soak into the ground.
- Avoid discharging water onto sidewalks, driveways, or neighboring properties.
- Keep splash blocks and extensions clear of debris.
A properly placed downspout is one of the easiest ways to reduce standing water near your home.
Improve Grading Around Your House
Water naturally follows the lowest path available. If the ground slopes toward your home, water can collect near foundations, crawl spaces, and basements.
Look for:
- Low spots near exterior walls
- Areas where water remains for more than a day after rain
- Soil that has settled over time
What to do:
- Add soil where necessary to create a gentle slope away from buildings.
- Maintain existing drainage swales.
- Avoid blocking natural drainage paths with landscaping or structures.
Small grading improvements can have a big impact during heavy storms.
Keep Water Moving
Leaves, grass clippings, sediment, and litter can block the flow of water through yards, ditches, and storm drains.
What to do:
- Sweep grass clippings and leaves off streets and sidewalks.
- Keep nearby storm drains clear of debris.
- Remove materials that may block drainage channels.
- Report damaged or clogged stormwater infrastructure to Public Works.
Water that can move freely is less likely to pool where it isn’t wanted.
Reduce Compacted Soil
Healthy soil acts like a sponge. Compacted soil acts more like concrete.
Foot traffic, construction equipment, and years of mowing can compress soil, making it harder for water to soak in.
What to do:
- Aerate lawns when needed.
- Top-dress with compost to improve soil structure.
- Avoid unnecessary vehicle traffic on turf areas.
- Maintain healthy vegetation and root systems.
Improving soil health increases infiltration and reduces runoff.
Consider a Rain Garden
Some areas of a yard naturally collect water after rain. Instead of fighting these locations, homeowners can use their location to their advantage.
A rain garden is a shallow landscaped area designed to temporarily collect runoff and allow it to soak into the ground.
Benefits include:
- Reduced standing water
- Improved water quality
- Less runoff leaving the property
- Attractive landscaping
- Habitat for pollinators
Rain gardens work especially well near downspouts and in areas of the yard where water flows downhill – directly before it reaches the ponding area.
Plant Trees and Native Vegetation
Plants help manage stormwater in several ways.
Their roots create pathways that allow water to soak into the soil, while leaves and stems slow rainfall before it reaches the ground.
Benefits:
- Increased infiltration
- Reduced erosion
- Improved soil health
- Cooler, shaded soils that retain moisture longer
Native plants are particularly effective because they are adapted to Nebraska’s climate and often develop deeper root systems than traditional turfgrass.
Protect Natural Drainage Areas
Many neighborhoods were designed with shallow drainage swales, ditches, or low areas that help move stormwater safely through the community.
These features may not always look important during dry weather, but they play a critical role during storms.
Avoid:
- Filling drainage swales with soil
- Blocking drainage paths with landscaping
- Installing structures that restrict water flow
When drainage areas remain open, stormwater can move where it was designed to go.
Know When Flooding Is Beyond Your Property
Sometimes flooding is caused by factors outside an individual homeowner’s control.
Examples include:
- Intense rainfall that exceeds system capacity
- High groundwater levels
- Blocked public infrastructure
- Regional flooding events
If flooding appears to be related to public infrastructure, contact Public Works so the issue can be evaluated.
Why It Matters
Reducing flooding starts one property at a time. By helping rainwater soak into the ground, maintaining drainage paths, and keeping stormwater systems clear, residents can reduce runoff, protect property, and improve local water quality.
Every yard is part of a larger watershed. Small improvements across many properties can help reduce flooding throughout the community.
Our Water, Our Responsibility.