Expanding an Ecosystem, Fair Oaks

Client desires: seasonal dry creek to mitigate excess water from winter rains flowing from neighbors’ property, integrate plant life into the back area of the yard, create transition between the two gardens, additional privacy, and seasonal color and interest. This property has numerous established redwoods throughout and native Valley Oaks at the perimeter. Intentional consideration was given when planting at or near the drip-line under oaks with native plants only. To mitigate the excess water “problem” we looked at the existing ecosystem for answers. A redwood tree can drink from 150-500 gallons of water a day depending on its size and needs. We used these beautiful assets with diversion swales and infiltration basins to move and manage this water. This allowed a slowing, spreading and sinking of the water for hydrating the redwoods and re-filling the water table. This new system returns thousands of gallons of water annually back to the ecosystem instead of to the land of nowhere in the municipal system.