Water drains from a bank through a 10" pipe under my driveway and at the entrance to the pipe the bank drops off about 16". I have stakes to hold the soil and never mow so as to not disturb soil or the grass/weeds and that has worked OK for 5+ years but I want a more permanent solution. The area I want to support with a retaining wall is about 4 to 5 ft long. I was hoping for an off-the-shelf solution like a galvanized window well anchored in a yet-to-be-determined fashion but thought I had better run this by TBN first. The pics are pretty hard to discern but maybe between them and the writing you can visualize it.
Need ideas for a small retaining wall
- Thread starter MillWeld
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oosik
Epic Contributor
The only problem I could envision with galvanized metal is corrosion. If the water is basic(Ph>7.0) then no problem - however if it is acidic(Ph<7.0) - like my ground water around here - anything galvanized won't last long.
Actually - if the situation has remained static for five years - it could be best to just leave it be.
You could get a "chunk" of that woven material that the highway dept uses to stabilize road cuts and introduce it to the sloped area for increased stability.
Actually - if the situation has remained static for five years - it could be best to just leave it be.
You could get a "chunk" of that woven material that the highway dept uses to stabilize road cuts and introduce it to the sloped area for increased stability.
jmc
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Could you just fill the depression between the inlet and the bank with rip rap?
ZTMAN
Silver Member
JMC has a great suggestion since it is at the inlet. Based on the grass in the depression, it does not look like you get a lot of water in that area. You could probably even use smaller stones for a french drain type of set up.
If you have the room, you could also create a gentle swale. Just enough for the water to enter the pipe and shallow enough to mow.
If you have the room, you could also create a gentle swale. Just enough for the water to enter the pipe and shallow enough to mow.
There's only about 8" between the inlet and the bank so I think rip rap would wash away because the bank in the vicinity of the inlet is vertical. You have given me an idea, though. Perhaps sloping the bank more and lining it with heavy flat stone. Heavy enough to prevent washing. The pipe carries water from about 40,000 sq ft of gently sloping garden and lawn. I have never seen it overflow, even with hurricane Florence when we got 7.6" of rain.
ZTMAN
Silver Member
I don't think rip rap would wash away. Given the low cost , I would give that a shot as your first option
DMW
Platinum Member
Gabion stone basket. Available in different sizes, never have to worry about it washing away.
GirlWhoWantsTractor
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Assume the goal is to keep the dirt bank from collapsing and blocking your inlet pipe. Agree if what you have has worked for 5 years you may be good. 
Also agree rip-rap is a good solution. I have a few of these on my steep property and I like "paving" my inlets with large flat stones, as this doesn't tend to collect soil and then get overgrown with plants like rip-rap can, and the water flows smoothly over them, but either will work. Looking forward to pics of the project when done.
Also agree rip-rap is a good solution. I have a few of these on my steep property and I like "paving" my inlets with large flat stones, as this doesn't tend to collect soil and then get overgrown with plants like rip-rap can, and the water flows smoothly over them, but either will work. Looking forward to pics of the project when done.Actually, my flat stone idea morphed into concrete cast as a slab into a pre-made mold shaped to fit where needed. I figure it would weigh about 300 - 400 lbs and could be set in place with my tractor. Frankly, I'm glad my wife preferred rip rap because it is a LOT easier and I don't need another project. I don't mind grass growing within the stone. My spot is so small.