The Best Way to Fix a Yard With a Low Water Table

Stake out the path you want the water to go, tying strings to each stake to see the natural curvature of the yard.

Evaluate the curvature for each area with a string level. Make notes for when you dig your trench, as you want the drain tube to travel downward at all times.

Dig your trench. This is going to be hard work, as most low-water tables have clay soil. Expect to dig for two to three days depending on the size of your yard. Your trench should be at least 2-feet deep to accommodate the drain tube. Place the dirt into a wheelbarrow while you dig. Unless you are planning on building some elevated planters, you may need to rent a dump truck to haul away the dirt. Keep a small amount of dirt for backfilling the trench.

Fill the bottom 2 inches of your trench with gravel. The gravel will aid in seating the drain tube and ensure efficient drainage into the soil.

Punch holes into the bottom of your dry well with a hammer. Place holes wherever you want the water to drain. Do not punch holes if you want the water to bypass the area.

Lay your drain-tube pieces, adding gravel where necessary to keep the tube traveling downward at all times.

Backfill your trench. The drain will now remove water from the areas of your yard that flood and relocate the water to areas that could use it.