Shape a gravel swale to stop an invited Chaparral lot from flooding

Chaparral's flat, unpaved lots pond badly in monsoon storms — water stands against homes for days, breeding mosquitoes and wicking into floors. A shallow gravel-lined swale shaped with hand tools moves roof and lot water away from the home into a planted soak-away basin. Standard: Residential stormwater grading and dry-swale practice; SDG 11. Proof: Before/after lot photos + swale and basin photos Method (Residential stormwater grading and dry-swale practice; SDG 11.): 1. Walk the lot with the occupant during or after rain evidence and mark the ponding path. 2. Shape a shallow swale from the ponding area toward a low soak-away spot with shovels and rakes. 3. Line the channel with gravel and edge stones. 4. Dig and mulch a soak-away basin planted with a desert shrub at the outlet. 5. Photograph the finished swale and basin with date and GPS. Done when: Before/after lot photos + swale and basin photos

Where

Invited home lots near McCombs Rd area, Chaparral, NM 88081

Pay

$360 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after lot photos + swale and basin photos

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-03

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–75 minutes. Method of record: EPA green-infrastructure inspection (bioretention / bioswale / permeable pavement function + maintenance)

Bring

• measuring tape
• GPS phone
• camera
• trowel / probe
• data sheet
• gloves

Steps

1. 1. Locate the GI asset; record GPS; identify the type (rain garden / bioswale / permeable pavement / tree filter).
2. 2. Photograph the asset, its inlet, and its outlet/overflow.
3. 3. Check the inlet and outlet for blockage (sediment, trash, mulch) and note whether flow can enter/leave freely.
4. 4. Check for standing water and estimate whether it drains within the design window (typically <24-48h after rain); probe media if dry.
5. 5. Assess vegetation/media condition and estimate sediment/trash accumulation depth.
6. 6. Note erosion, bypass, or structural damage and list the maintenance needed.
7. 7. Enter asset type, condition, inlet/outlet status, drainage observation, sediment level, maintenance needs, GPS, photos; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Standing water persists > 48h after rain -> flag failed infiltration (clogged media) for rehab.
• Inlet or outlet blocked -> flag for cleaning; the asset isn't capturing runoff.
• Erosion, undercutting, or flow bypassing the asset -> flag for repair.
• Documentation only — no digging out media or altering structures.

What counts as done

• Asset type + overall condition recorded
• Inlet + outlet clear/blocked status recorded
• Standing-water / infiltration observation recorded
• Sediment/trash level + maintenance recommendations + GPS + photos

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.