Innovative Stormwater Solutions: How Retaining Walls Can Help Manage Excess Water Runoff

How Retaining Walls Can Help Manage Excess Water Runoff
  • Author: Fazal Umer
  • Posted On: February 17, 2023
  • Updated On: February 17, 2023

You may have noticed that streets and sidewalks frequently flood during storms. Now that there aren’t as many fields and forests, cities are overwhelmed by water runoff.

Good thing there’s an innovative solution: retaining walls for stormwater management! These specially designed walls percolate rainwater back into the ground at a controlled rate. And besides their practical uses, retaining walls can bolster a city’s aesthetic.

Understand how retaining walls can help reduce property damage from flooding. We’ll also cover some other great benefits associated with building them.

The Benefits of Retaining Walls for Water Runoff Management

Retaining walls provide an effective way to manage excess water runoff. Check out some of its benefits.

Control Flooding and Soil Erosion

A retaining wall helps collect, store, and divert water away from areas prone to flooding. This can help reduce the potential water damage caused by floods in your area.

Additionally, retaining walls help control soil erosion. When heavy rains come down, they wash away vital topsoil with them. As a result, plants are deprived of essential nutrients. On a grander scale, this could significantly affect livelihood centered on vegetation.

By building a wall that holds back floodwater, you can prevent these from occurring.

Slow Water Runoff

Pieces of land that slope steeply allow water to run off at a quicker pace. As a result, they can damage surrounding structures and properties.

Retaining walls help slow the runoff flow, giving it time to absorb into the earth. They reduce the rate at which rainfall travels through the ground.

The walls can also be used with proper drainage channels. Together, they reduce surface runoff speed further and disperse it around larger areas.

Prevent Structural Damage

Excess quantities of runoff can cause significant destruction if it’s not managed properly. Retaining walls provide relief from the effects of storm surges and heavy rainfall.

They act as a buffer between a sloping landscape and your property boundaries. These walls are built with materials that prevent shifting or erosion over time. They capture or divert extra water away from low-lying areas. And instead, they redirect the runoff into drainage systems for safer management.

Provide Better Safety

Retaining walls provide better safety for both people and properties.

They allow stormwater to be collected and redirected in a safe manner. As a result, they help reduce the risk of landslides that can occur when water runoff is uncontrolled.

Retaining walls also make it less likely for people to slip or fall on wet surfaces.

Increase Property Value

Finally, retaining walls can be an attractive addition to any landscape. A well-designed wall gives your property a clean and beautiful appearance. They’re tangible proof that you take proper care of your property. And it’s something potential buyers appreciate.

They also help to maximize usable space on your property. For example, retaining walls create additional patio areas or extra seating! These all add to the property’s overall appeal, helping increase its value in the process.

Exploring Innovative Materials for Constructing Retaining Walls

Retaining walls can be made from various materials. Consider the pros and cons of each material before deciding which to use for your home.

Synthetic Geotextiles

Synthetic geotextiles are durable fabric mats that separate soils and bind them together. They also protect against erosion.

Modular Block Systems

Modular block systems offer cost-efficient solutions. They allow quick assembly with minimal maintenance after installation.

Reinforced Soil

Reinforced soil is constructed on a base of the compacted aggregate foundation. The compacted soil layers are then blended with engineered reinforcements. Some examples of these are geogrids and geofoam blankets. They’re lightweight and easy to install.

Timber Walls

Timber walls utilize pressure-treated wood boards anchored into the ground. This allows them to create structurally-sound walls. And they don’t require concrete footing foundations.

Gabion Baskets

Gabion baskets consist of mesh cages filled with stones. They allow water to pass through while providing robust structural support.

Common Challenges Associated with Installing a Retaining Wall System

A retaining wall system comes with a lot of things to consider. Here are some of the most common challenges associated with installing one.

Proper Design

Retaining walls must be built to retain soil. At the same time, they should allow proper drainage and support. Poorly-designed walls may not have sound structural integrity, leading to potential safety hazards.

Soil Conditions

The soil where a retaining wall is installed has a significant impact on its success. Some soils are too soft or weak to support the wall’s design load adequately. This, in turn, leads to the possible failure of the wall over time.

Pay close attention to the soil conditions before installation. Doing so ensures the stability of the final structure.

Permits

A permit may be required from local authorities before starting any construction project. This is due to local building regulations.

Complying with local codes requires coordination between an engineer, contractor, and government agencies. This can bring additional costs and delays when installing a retaining wall system.

Foundation Preparation

Preparing an adequate foundation is essential for any retaining wall project. It will provide a strong and stable base upon which all subsequent layers can be built.

Improper preparation can lead to failure due to a lack of structural integrity. Or it could also be due to inadequate support towards the topmost layers.

Quality of Materials

The overall quality of materials is vital in completing a retaining wall project. It affects the durability and lifespan of the structure. So, take utmost care when selecting materials for your project.

Go with high-quality treated woods such as FSC-certified lumber. Choose appropriate soils for backfilling purposes if necessary. Ensure careful inspection at each stage during the installation process.

Retaining Walls as a Stormwater Solution

Retaining walls provide an excellent way to manage excess stormwater runoff. For one, they help protect the environment and watersheds. But besides that, they’re also a visually-appealing solution for urban settings.

By using innovative technologies and engineering principles, retaining walls offer significant benefits. They help keep our cities healthier, cleaner, and happier for generations to come!

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Author: Fazal Umer

Fazal is a dedicated industry expert in the field of civil engineering. As an Editor at ConstructionHow, he leverages his experience as a civil engineer to enrich the readers looking to learn a thing or two in detail in the respective field. Over the years he has provided written verdicts to publications and exhibited a deep-seated value in providing informative pieces on infrastructure, construction, and design.

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