Landscaping & Design/Drainage Culvert

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Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA - 7/1/2009


Question
Dear Sean:

There is a 25-foot drainage ditch that runs through my front yard and under my driveway. I have two problems with this culvert: 1. there is always water standing in it even when we haven't had rain. 2. the soil on either side of the paved driveway has washed away over the culvert. The ditch is graded at about a 50-degree angle and we keep the grass mowed.

The HOA said there is a problem at the end of the ditch but that it's not their responsibility. I've contacted the department of transportation and they've indicated that the ditch is not in their right of way. But I couldn't get the bureaucrat on the other end of the phone to tell me what steps I can take as the homeowner to reduce the standing water. I also want to know what do to prevent further soil errosion -- I don't want to come home and find my driveway caved in. The community is about 14 years old and the builder used 6x6 wood posts to shore up the driveway surrounding the actual culvert. (I hope this description is adequate to help you "see" the problem.)

We're first-time homeowners and really clueless about managing the great outdoors. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.

Best regards,
Yvonne

Answer
There is only one way to get water out. Re-grade the ditch. But that may not be possible without getting on the property of others.
It sounds like you should have a Landscape Architect or civil engineer come to your house and pay for a real consultation. This is really not something I can advise you on remotely.

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Sean J Murphy, LA

Expertise

I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, general pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I can also answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more. However, I am not a horticulturist nor an entomologist, so I usually cannot answer questions on pests or diseases of plants.

Experience

I have been working in landscaping since I was 8 years old when I started mowing lawns for neighbors. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I am a registered Landscape Architect in Georgia. I have been practicing professionally for 19 years all over the United States (Primarily though in Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands). I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has been featured in the press and on TV. I was a featured Landscape Architect on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge in the episode titled 'Field of Dreams'. My works have won awards including the ULI's inaugural sustainability award and many others. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando), major builders like Pulte and Ryland Homes as well as many famous people including Georgia's Governor Roy Barnes. I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Director of Design of a local Planning and Landscape Architecture firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. You may see more detail at my personal website http://www.seanjmurphy.com. I am also the webmaster and director of content for the well respected landscape blog at http://amenityarchitects.com

Organizations
American Society of Landscape Architects, International Society of Arborists, Urban Land Institute, City of Smyrna Downtown Development Authority, City of Smyrna Downtown Task Force, City of Smyrna Urban Design Commission, City of Smyrna Economic Advisory Committee, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Board Member Smyrna Community Garden

Publications
Landscape Architect and Specifier News, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Peach Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Coastal Living, Magazine

Education/Credentials
Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988, Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994, Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994, University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995, Post University Mini MBA 2000, Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993, Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993, ISA Certified Arborist 2009

Awards and Honors
ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN, ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta. Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006. South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design, Town Landscape Architect for Serenbe Community the winner of 2009 Inaugural Sustainability Award. Several Grand Awards from MALTA for landscape projects Many more...too many to list.

Past/Present Clients
Disney Imagineers (while employed by others), Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, The State of Georgia, City of Suwanee Ga, City of Norcross Ga, City of Powdersprings Ga, City of Stockbridge GA, City of Sandy Springs Ga, Post Properties, Bayfair Homes, John Willis Homes, Pulte Homes, Serenbe Development, Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon, Sottish Rite Children's Hospital Farmer D Organics

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