Yard Retains Water

[MissChick@dee]

Curious - does it rain much there? Nevada is pretty dry, and looks like Caliente is in a very dry area. Assume it isn't clay either?

In the desert we get what’s called “flash floods”. The ground is so HARD and dry that the run off causes big problems. It does not get absorbed into the ground. Where Caliente is located is in a canyon so Mother Nature diverts a lot of water here naturally. We may only get 10” of rain a year but it comes all within a short window of time every year. We get snow too. This year was pretty dry we’ve only received about 5” in our worst snowfall so far. We do not have clay. A little northeast into Utah it’s ALL clay.

 

[Acre4Me]

In the desert we get what’s called “flash floods”. The ground is so HARD and dry that the run off causes big problems. It does not get absorbed into the ground. Where Caliente is located is in a canyon so Mother Nature diverts a lot of water here naturally. We may only get 10” of rain a year but it comes all within a short window of time every year. We get snow too. This year was pretty dry we’ve only received about 5” in our worst snowfall so far. We do not have clay. A little northeast into Utah it’s ALL clay.

Figured that might be the case - dry ground, flash flooding. Ive been to NV a few times, and almost went to the Mesquite area in Dec, but timing didn't work out. Is pretty dry there!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Much dryer down south yes.
The mountains determine a lot of different climates here. Go to Pioche from Caliente (30 minutes) and it’s 20 degrees colder and snow capped. 2000ft in elevation makes a big difference. The farther north you go the desert changes. Just like Reno is so completely different from Las Vegas.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

This touches on an issue when I was having problems planting bamboo in an area that was very close to the water table. Dig down a few inches and - water. After loosing some bamboo I learned that the best way to plant was to simply set the clump on the ground and fill around it with dirt (instead of digging a hole). Simply raising the ground level sufficiently gets rid of water issues.

 

[MandaRae]

So your house is at bottom of slope...and 'flooding' issues at or in house??
Coop would be upslope from house?

They did a decent job with the foundation. So no leakage unless it's a lot of rain. The yard just outside the back door turns into a little pond for a day or two.

The Coop will be up from the house in the middle of the yard.

I was thinking a little up & to the right of where my son is standing.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Much dryer down south yes.
The mountains determine a lot of different climates here. Go to Pioche from Caliente (30 minutes) and it’s 20 degrees colder and snow capped. 2000ft in elevation makes a big difference. The farther north you go the desert changes. Just like Reno is so completely different from Las Vegas.

I think the adiabatic lapse rate states that for every 1000 feet rise in elevation there is a 10 degrees drop in temperature. That matches your observation.

 

[MissChick@dee]

To me that looks like you should get good drainage

 

[MissChick@dee]

I think the adiabatic lapse rate states that for every 1000 feet rise in elevation there is a 10 degrees drop in temperature. That matches your observation.

No observation here. I just hop in the car! Lol

 

[aart]

They did a decent job with the foundation. So no leakage unless it's a lot of rain. The yard just outside the back door turns into a little pond for a day or two.

The Coop will be up from the house in the middle of the yard.

I was thinking a little up & to the right of where my son is standing.

As long as coop and run is on a slope you should be able to control drainage if needed.
Might be harder to build tho, depending on how you go there.

 

[MandaRae]

That spot is pretty much 1 of 2 spots in the whole yard that doesn't get super soggy. The other spot is in the front yard but I'd rather not. It's a huge front yard and far from the road but still would rather not.