If you live in Texarkana, you know how a single downpour can turn a tidy yard into standing water and soft spots. That excess moisture does more than make a mess. In clay-heavy Bowie County soils, it can stress your foundation, erode topsoil, and damage landscaping. The good news is you can manage water with smart grading, simple drainage systems, and plant choices that love our climate.
In this guide, you’ll learn practical grading targets, when a French drain makes sense, and which trees and plants fit Texarkana’s conditions. You’ll also get a checklist you can use with a landscaper and later in listing remarks. Let’s dive in.
Why drainage matters in Texarkana
Texarkana sits in a humid subtropical zone with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Our area typically sees about 48 to 52 inches of rain each year, including short, intense storms that can overwhelm yards. You can see regional context in the NOAA climate normals for the area when planning improvements.
Much of Bowie County has loam over clay-rich subsoils. Those clays shrink and swell as moisture changes, which can move or crack foundations if water ponds near the house or if one side of the foundation stays wetter than another. The USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey is a helpful tool to understand your site’s soil types before you grade or plant.
Texarkana falls near USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. That means winters can dip to about 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to pick perennials and shrubs that can handle cold snaps as well as summer heat and humidity.
Grading basics that work
Proper grading is your first line of defense. The goal is simple: move surface water away from the house and keep it from pooling in low spots.
- Create a steady slope away from the foundation so water does not linger.
- Reduce how much water soaks the soil right next to the house. That helps minimize clay movement.
- Protect driveways and walkways from edge erosion.
A commonly used standard is a fall of 6 inches in the first 10 feet away from the foundation. This roughly 5 percent slope appears in many residential guidelines and is a practical target for new or existing homes.
Check your yard’s slope
You can do a quick check with simple tools.
- Measure 10 feet out from the foundation. Use a string line with a small line level, or a straight 10‑foot board and a carpenter’s level.
- Confirm there is close to a 6‑inch drop. Note any dips within the first several feet where water might collect.
- After a storm, walk the perimeter. Look for standing water, erosion channels, or saturated turf near the house.
Avoid common grading mistakes
A few missteps can make drainage worse.
- Do not pile loose fill right against siding or foundation walls. It can trap water and hide moisture lines.
- Do not grade water toward sidewalks or neighboring properties. Check local ordinances before you change drainage patterns.
- Do not rely on mulch mounds to create slope. The pitch should be in the soil, with mulch as a top layer.
Easy drainage upgrades
Small fixes can make a big difference.
- Keep gutters clear and add downspout extensions. Route roof runoff at least 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation or to a safe discharge.
- Maintain turf or use erosion control mats on new slopes until vegetation establishes.
- Smooth out short dips within the first several feet by adding and compacting soil. Keep the slope continuous.
French drains: the basics
A French drain is a subsurface gravel trench with a perforated pipe that collects and carries excess water to a discharge point. It helps intercept shallow groundwater or persistent wet spots so water does not linger near your foundation.
Typical parts include a trench, filter fabric to keep silt out, clean gravel, a perforated pipe, and an outlet that lets water leave the system.
Design for clay soils
In parts of Texarkana, heavy clay soils can slow infiltration and clog poorly built systems. Good design matters.
- Place the drain slightly upslope of the wet area to intercept water before it reaches the low spot or foundation.
- Wrap the trench with filter fabric and use clean stone to reduce sediment buildup in the pipe.
- For gravity flow, aim for a consistent slope. A practical target is about 1 percent drop along the pipe run, or roughly 1 foot of fall per 100 feet of pipe, if your lot allows.
Where you lack natural fall, consider other solutions like a rain garden, a dry well, or a small pump system. The US EPA’s green infrastructure resources cover infiltration options and how they fit into residential yards.
Choose safe drain outlets
Every drain needs a legal, effective outlet.
- Daylight the pipe on a downhill edge of your property if you have the grade.
- Where codes allow, tie into a storm inlet. Confirm permits before connecting to any public system.
- Use a dry well or shallow infiltration basin if your soil and groundwater conditions support it. Clay soils reduce effectiveness, so test infiltration before you commit.
- If gravity does not work, a small pump can move water. Plan for maintenance and power needs.
For step-by-step ideas on rain gardens and downspout management, explore the EPA’s Soak Up the Rain guidance on residential rain gardens.
Keep drains maintained
French drains are not set and forget. Plan to:
- Inspect after major storms and confirm outlets are clear.
- Clean catch basins or leaf screens as needed.
- Watch for root intrusion near inlets and trim vegetation that can clog flows.
- Flush sections if performance drops and review the system every few years.
Water‑wise plants for Texarkana
The right plants can stabilize soil, slow runoff, and handle both heavy rain and summer heat. Choose species that fit Zone 7b and local moisture swings. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides regional guidance, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a robust native plant database to help match species to site conditions.
Trees that handle wet areas
Select species that tolerate occasional saturation and heat, then site them with mature size in mind.
- Bald cypress. Thrives in wetter spots and can handle heat. Give it room to grow.
- Swamp white oak and sweetgum. Adapted to seasonal wetness in East Texas.
- Keep large trees at least 20 to 30 feet from the foundation. Medium trees generally need 15 to 20 feet. Adjust for mature canopy and root spread.
Shrubs and perennials for wet spots
Use water‑tolerant, region‑friendly plants in low areas or along swales.
- Buttonbush for periodic standing water.
- Redtwig dogwood for moist soils and erosion control.
- Swamp milkweed for wet ground and pollinators.
- Yaupon holly and southern wax myrtle for adaptable structure in beds that see both wet and dry periods.
Grasses and groundcovers that stabilize
Deep‑rooted grasses and hardy perennials hold soil on slopes and reduce bare patches.
- Switchgrass and river oats tolerate fluctuating moisture and stabilize banks.
- Black‑eyed Susan, coreopsis, and Liatris offer seasonal color and cover open soil.
- For turf, Bermudagrass or Zoysia handle sun and moderate wetness. Avoid long‑term ponding in any turf area.
Planting patterns near the house
Your planting layout should support drainage and protect the structure.
- Keep mulch and planting soil below siding. Maintain a visible gap to discourage moisture against the house.
- Place a buffer bed several feet off the foundation and maintain grade that slopes away.
- Use rain‑tolerant species in low spots and aim for continuous vegetative cover to reduce erosion.
Plants to avoid near foundations
Keep aggressive or moisture‑loving roots away from the house.
- Avoid willows, cottonwoods, certain poplars, and running bamboo near foundations.
- Do not plant species that require constant wet soil right against the house.
Homeowner checklist
Use this concise list when you meet with a landscaper or drainage contractor. It also helps you document improvements for buyers later.
- Grading. Confirm about 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet from the foundation. Ask for a simple grade sketch showing proposed changes.
- Gutters and downspouts. Verify gutters are clean and downspouts extend 4 to 6 feet or to daylight. Note current locations and plan extensions.
- Subsurface drainage. If you see persistent saturation or water near the crawlspace, ask if a French drain or catch basins are appropriate, with a clear outlet.
- Outlet feasibility. Identify where water will discharge and whether a permit is required to tie into any public system.
- Vegetation plan. Request a planting map with species, distances from the foundation, and erosion control for slopes. Specify native, water‑tolerant choices for low areas.
- Erosion control. Include temporary stabilization during work and long‑term groundcover or mulch.
- Maintenance plan. Get guidance on inspection frequency, cleaning, and expected lifespan for any system.
- Documentation. Ask for a short summary of work completed to use in listing remarks.
Maintenance over the long term
Drainage is a system, not a one‑time fix. Build inspection into your routine.
- Walk the yard after heavy rain to confirm water moves away from the house.
- Keep gutters and screens clear, especially in fall.
- Regrade or add compacted fill only as needed to keep slopes continuous.
- Check drains and rain gardens every few years and clean outlets and catch points.
Add value when you sell
Buyers appreciate well‑documented drainage improvements. Use concise, factual statements in your listing to communicate the work. Examples that keep the focus on inspection‑ready details:
- Perimeter grading adjusted in [year] to slope away from foundation 6 inches over the first 10 feet.
- Downspouts extended to daylight and tied to onsite drainage. No roof runoff discharged at the foundation.
- Subsurface French drain installed and directed to rear yard outlet. Annual maintenance recommended.
- Plantings installed in [year] using native, water‑tolerant species. No trees planted within stated distance of the foundation.
Next steps
If you are planning improvements or prepping to sell in Texarkana or greater Bowie County, start with grading and water‑wise landscaping. Confirm the basics, choose plants that fit Zone 7b, and use subsurface solutions where needed. For climate context, review NOAA climate normals. For species choices, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For soils, consult the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey. For rain garden ideas, explore the EPA’s green infrastructure resources.
When you are ready to align upgrades with your home goals and marketing strategy, let’s talk. Work With Colton at Unknown Company to plan a drainage smart yard that protects your foundation and boosts curb appeal before you list.
FAQs
What grading slope should I aim for near my Texarkana foundation?
- A practical target used in residential guidance is about 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet away from the foundation to move water out and reduce stress on clay soils.
Do French drains work in Bowie County’s clay soils?
- Yes, if properly designed with filter fabric, clean gravel, and a consistent slope to a legal outlet. In heavy clays, confirm outlet options and consider rain gardens or dry wells where feasible.
Which plants handle heavy rain and summer heat in Texarkana?
- Choose Zone 7b‑friendly natives like switchgrass, river oats, buttonbush, and swamp milkweed, and consider trees like bald cypress or swamp white oak sited well away from the house.
How far should I plant trees from my house to protect the foundation?
- As a general guideline, keep large trees 20 to 30 feet from the foundation and medium trees 15 to 20 feet, adjusting for mature canopy and root spread.
What are early signs of a drainage problem around my home?
- Look for ponding within 10 feet of the foundation, erosion channels after storms, saturated turf that lingers, and downspouts discharging at the base of the house.
Where can I find authoritative guidance on plants and soils for my yard?
- Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension resources, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s native plant database.
References and resources for further reading:
- Explore NOAA climate normals for long‑term rainfall context in the region. NOAA climate normals
- Check your zone before selecting plants. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Review soils and drainage characteristics. USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey
- Browse plant and landscape guidance. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
- Learn about rain gardens and green infrastructure. US EPA Green Infrastructure and EPA Soak Up the Rain rain gardens
- Research native plant options. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database
