Drainage & Water Management

DRAINAGE & WATER MANAGEMENT

Comprehensive Solutions To Protect Your Property & Infrastructure

At Great Lakes Excavating, we specialize in comprehensive drainage and water management solutions that protect your property and infrastructure investments. Our expert team designs and implements systems that effectively direct water flow, prevent erosion, and ensure proper site hydrology.

With extensive knowledge of Northern Minnesota's precipitation patterns and soil conditions, we create drainage systems that handle seasonal challenges including spring thaws and heavy rainfall events. Our water management solutions comply with all environmental regulations while maximizing usable land and preventing costly water damage.

WATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Comprehensive Approaches For Effective Drainage

Surface Drainage Systems

We design and install comprehensive surface drainage solutions including swales, channels, and culverts that effectively direct water away from structures and valuable areas. Our systems ensure proper water flow while preventing erosion and flooding during heavy precipitation events.

Subsurface Drainage

Our subsurface drainage solutions include French drains, drain tile systems, and collection networks that manage groundwater and prevent saturation problems. These invisible systems protect foundations, prevent lawn damage, and create usable areas in previously wet locations.

Stormwater Management

We create comprehensive stormwater management systems including retention ponds, infiltration basins, rain gardens, and underground storage that comply with regulations while effectively managing water quantity and quality. Our approach integrates with your overall site development for efficient land use.

Erosion Control Integration

Our drainage systems work in harmony with erosion control measures to prevent soil loss while managing water flow. This integrated approach ensures stable slopes, protected shorelines, and preserved landscapes even during extreme weather events.

WHY PROPER DRAINAGE MATTERS

Property Protection

Effective drainage prevents water damage to structures, foundations, landscapes, and infrastructure. Our systems direct water away from valuable assets, preventing costly damage and preserving your property's value and usability.

Erosion Prevention

Uncontrolled water flow causes soil erosion that can gradually or suddenly damage your property. Our drainage solutions manage water velocity and direction to prevent erosive forces while preserving soil and landscape features.

Environmental Compliance

Water management is increasingly regulated to protect natural resources. Our systems comply with all environmental requirements while effectively meeting your drainage needs, helping you avoid potential fines and enforcement actions.

DRAINAGE APPLICATIONS

Solutions For All Property Types

Residential Properties

Custom drainage solutions for homes and residential developments to prevent water damage and create usable outdoor spaces.

Commercial Sites

Comprehensive water management for retail centers, office complexes, and industrial facilities with large impervious surfaces.

Infrastructure Projects

Specialized drainage systems for roads, utilities, and public facilities that prevent damage and extend service life.

Agricultural Land

Drainage solutions that improve crop production while managing runoff and protecting water quality.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Need To Know About Drainage & Water Management

How do I know if my property has drainage problems?

Common signs of drainage issues include standing water after rain, soggy lawn areas, water in basements or crawlspaces, eroding soil, foundation cracks, mold or mildew, and dying plants or trees. If you notice any of these symptoms, a professional drainage assessment can identify the underlying causes and appropriate solutions for your specific situation.

What drainage solutions work best in Northern Minnesota's climate?

Northern Minnesota's climate requires drainage systems that handle spring snowmelt, summer thunderstorms, and function during freeze-thaw cycles. Effective solutions include properly sloped surfaces, subsurface drain systems installed below frost depth, oversized culverts to handle peak flows, and retention systems designed for our specific precipitation patterns. Our local experience ensures systems tailored to our unique climate challenges.

How do French drains work and when are they appropriate?

French drains consist of perforated pipe surrounded by gravel in a trench, creating a subsurface water collection and transport system. They're ideal for intercepting groundwater before it reaches structures, draining low spots where surface drainage isn't possible, relieving hydrostatic pressure against foundations, and managing water in landscaped areas. We design French drains with proper slope, filtration fabric, and appropriate discharge points for optimal performance.

What's the difference between retention and detention in stormwater management?

Retention systems permanently hold water, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground or evaporate over time. These include retention ponds with permanent water pools and infiltration basins. Detention systems temporarily hold water during peak flows and release it slowly afterward. Both systems reduce downstream flooding and erosion while often providing water quality benefits. The best choice depends on your site conditions, soil types, and regulatory requirements.

How do you handle drainage on properties with clay soils?

Clay soils present drainage challenges due to poor infiltration and expansion when wet. Our approach for clay soils includes more extensive subsurface drainage networks, soil amendments to improve structure in key areas, properly designed swales with adequate slope, and sometimes engineered solutions like dry wells with sand/gravel surrounds. We may also recommend strategic regrading to ensure positive surface drainage away from structures.

Can drainage systems be installed in existing landscapes with minimal disruption?

Yes, we specialize in retrofitting drainage solutions with minimal impact on established landscapes. Techniques include directional boring for pipe installation, strategic trenching between valuable plants, careful hand-excavation near trees, and restoration with matching materials. While some disruption is inevitable, our experienced team minimizes impact and ensures proper restoration of disturbed areas after installation.