by Brad Lancaster © 2016
www.HarvestingRainwater.com

Figure 1. Elevation view of curb cut and backwater or eddy basin with important elevation and slope relationships shown

Important Elevation Relationships of Backwater Basins
The following is based on tip 9 (Three Key Elevation Relationships of Water-Harvesting Earthworks) from chapter one of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 2, by Brad Lancaster.

Elevation 1: Bottom of basin, and the top of the mulch within it, is lower than the elevation of the curb-cut inlet so the structure accepts and holds street runoff. The deeper the basin in relation to its overflow, the greater its water-holding capacity.

Figure 2. Harvested street runoff has filled up to Elevation 1, nearly to the rain-garden Terrace Zone

Elevation 2: Curb-cut inlet is the low point of the basin’s perimeter, so water will overflow at (or back up to) the inlet and the pavement-stabilized street-curb gutter.

Planting terraces are typically the same elevation as the curb-cut inlet (and higher than the bottom of basin), so plants less water-tolerant than those in bottom of basins will thrive—allowing for a greater diversity of plantings. Terraces also reduce the otherwise-sudden drop a basin would represent along adjoining paths and pedestrian platforms.

Figure 3. A larger storm fills the basin up to Elevation 2 and temporarily inundates the planting terrace. When street runoff flow stops, water level will quickly drop to that seen above in Figure 2

Elevation 3: Pathway elevation is level with, or no more than two inches (5 cm) higher than, top of street curb. At the same time, you’ll want ensure the elevation along the entire length of pathway adjoining the basin is at least 4 inches (10 cm) higher than the elevation of the basin’s inlet/overflow. This way water will not flow over path into adjoining properties.

Important Slope Relationships of a Street-Side Basin with Curb-Cut or Curb-Core Inlet
The following is based on the erosion-triangle pattern presented in appendix 1 of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1, 2nd Edition:

• Maintain a minimum 2-inch (5-cm) drop at inlet (see fig.1)

• Inlet slope is steeper than street-curb-gutter slope (see fig. 1)

Both of the slope relationships above will speed up, rather than slow, the flow of incoming water so sediment in street runoff won’t drop out of flow and clog inlet.

Note: Inlet slope can be stabilized with only one layer of rock. Rock more than one course high/deep is a waste of material and may impede germination of beneficial vegetation between rocks. Top of all rock must be below the elevation of the inlet.

For more information and examples, including how to increase the capacity of these basins (most of the info on this page came from Volume 2), buy, read, and share these award-winning books:

For more on curb cuts and curb cores, visit this section.

For more on how to choose the right plant for the right place within or beside the basin—Rain Garden Zones—see here.