Looking for help creating a dry creek bed...
We have an exceptionally soggy area in our backyard that could really benefit by from some extra drainage. I would like to turn it in to a dry creek bed with a nice little bridge over the stones. Has anyone done this? How much work is it and how expensive? I am guessing I need to recruit some younger help since we are both in our 60's.
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I would say it depends on the size of the creek bed. They look so pretty when they are done. I'd use smooth river rock. Be sure to put pond plastic down first. You don't want to have to weed between those rocks. We made a bit of a swale where ours was put in. It takes some labor and time but it does help with the drainage.
I made a dry creek bed on one side of front yard slope. I used landscape cloth pinned down in a winding creek design. I bought rocks from a local gravel pit that are about the size of a cantaloupe melon, that cost approx. $30total because I did pickup instead of delivery. My creek is approx. 4-5ftwide and 30ft long. It has been 9yrs and still looks good and does the job of wetness control.
If you want a bridge, I suggest you determine just how big you want, then perhaps shop for ready-made. You could probably use 6 in. wide boards to get the idea going. Position it the way you feel is most attractive, then outline the curve of the pond. I also suggest that you check different areas where the water is draining from and attend to that with drainage pipe wrapped in filter cloth, then gravel so that you control the wet areas around the pond. You probably should "bone up" on depth of pond for plants and fish and methods of keeping it fresh. Have fun!