Photo Galleries
Dry Well Greenland 2014
This dry well installation was part of the Soak Up the Rain Great Bay project.
Stormwater runoff from the roof (see the downspout hidden behind the shrubs) and the driveway traveled across the garage entry toward the right...
... and entered a drainage pipe in the grass. The pipe then sent the runoff to...
...a pond that overflows to Great Bay.
A dry well was planned to capture runoff and only allow overflow to enter the pipe and pond. For all SOAK projects, Dig Safe is called at least 72 hours in advance to mark utilities.
Digging was tough, but the crew persevered with post hole diggers, pick axes, and shovels to excavate the well area.
Neighbor Fred Mason, helps out with the digging. The Masons were the first SOAK NH project recipients. A rain garden was installed as a pilot training project in partnership with the Great Bay Stewards and UNH Cooperative Extension.
An important part of any project is having a plan for excavated material. Laura Byergo, SOAK Great Bay Project Manager, dumps soil removed from the dry well area into a spot in the backyard designated by the homeowner.
Finally a hole about 3' by 3' by 3' was ready for the next steps.
The team planning the overflow pipe which will direct water to the pond as before, but only after the dry well fills up to the top.
After the dry well is lined with geo-textile fabric, it's filled with 3/4" drainage stone. Lining the hole with geo-fabric prevents soil from migrating into the dry well and taking up pore space.
The overflow pipe is fitted with a strainer to help keep it debris-free.
The finished dry well. It could be beautified with decorative stone and a bird bath for example. In some cases, dry wells are buried and not visible from the surface.