raising the level of run

[afritzius]

I'm about to build a much bigger coop and run. my current run floods with heavy rain and creates a lot of smell and flies in the aftermath. I want to raise the ground for the larger coop and run to prevent this and keep it as dry as possible for my girls. any suggestions? I'd rather not build on a concrete slab or pavers. thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does it flood because the ground in the run area is low and water collects, or does it flood because drainage is insufficient and once it rains it can't drain through fast enough?

 

[McChooky]

Make a wall then back fill it with dirt and rock?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

What is the exact cause of the flooding?

Does water drain into the area from nearby structures? If so, using gutters to direct the rain away would help.

Does a drainage channel run through the area? If so, installing French Drain and/or creating grass swales and/or digging diversion ditches would help.

Is the coop and run positioned in a low spot where water collects in a pond? If so, it's likely to be easier and less expensive to move the coop and run to a better-drained area than to bring in dirt and heavy machinery to fill and correctly re-grade the land.

If you show us photos of the coop and it's setting, both in it's dry state and, if possible, it's flooded state, we might be able to offer more specific advice.

Also, it would help to know where, in general, you are located because climate matters. You can put that into you profile so that people can easily see it.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Generally speaking here are some standard slopes used to keep water away from structures and to promote positive drainage:
1. 5% (1:20) away from the structure for a minimum of 10ft around the structure in all directions. This prevents surface runoff from the surrounding space to penetrate structures (basements) or in your case flow into your run.
2. A minimum of 2% (1:50) for all grassed surfaces. I would suggest the run be sloped at least this amount as well. This provides adequate slope for water to sheet flow away to prevent ponding without erosion.
I know this can be hard to achieve sometimes and thats when alternative drainage techniques come into play, but these minimum slopes eliminate ponding water.

 

[aart]

Does it flood because the ground in the run area is low and water collects, or does it flood because drainage is insufficient and once it rains it can't drain through fast enough?

This^^^

I'm about to build a much bigger coop and run. my current run floods with heavy rain and creates a lot of smell and flies in the aftermath. I want to raise the ground for the larger coop and run to prevent this and keep it as dry as possible for my girls. any suggestions?

Some pics of your current coop and run and the surrounding area would be most helpful here.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @afritzius
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[afritzius]

Does it flood because the ground in the run area is low and water collects, or does it flood because drainage is insufficient and once it rains it can't drain through fast enough?

a little of both. it mostly floods because my yard and the yard behind mine are at a slight slant, so with heavy rain, their water comes flooding into my yard and then floods the run. for my temporary run, I've fashioned a long 4x4 in the ground along the back to divert water to the sides as much as possible, and I dug small trenches along the sides of the run to carry it away. I also have a huge tarp over the entire structure. additionally, the walls of the structure sit on concrete blocks, and I've had to separate a few of them to allow water to flow out. while all these efforts help, it's not what I call a solution.

 

[3KillerBs]

a little of both. it mostly floods because my yard and the yard behind mine are at a slight slant, so with heavy rain, their water comes flooding into my yard and then floods the run. for my temporary run, I've fashioned a long 4x4 in the ground along the back to divert water to the sides as much as possible, and I dug small trenches along the sides of the run to carry it away. I also have a huge tarp over the entire structure. additionally, the walls of the structure sit on concrete blocks, and I've had to separate a few of them to allow water to flow out. while all these efforts help, it's not what I call a solution.

Pictures, please?

Especially if you have pictures of the flooding itself.

 

[afritzius]

Pictures, please?

Especially if you have pictures of the flooding itself.

from the back fence to about where I'm standing will be the new, permanent coop and run. the slope of the yard isn't too severe, but it's a problem I'd like to remedy for the new coop so that I can keep as dry a run as possible. I don't have pictures of it actually flooding.

 

[aart]

I don't have pictures of it actually flooding.

Can see where you blocked the water flow and where it ran around those blocks.

Can you add a big pile of dirt to raise the whole area where the new coop and run will go?