$70,000–$100,000 · 8 weeks
Terraced lake hillside, Canyon Lake
North shore, Canyon Lake · finished 2023 · led by Danny Ochoa
Irrigation and Drainage · from $3,500–$25,000
Grading and erosion control in Canyon Lake and the Hill Country
Grading is shaping the ground so water goes where you want it. On flat lots that means building a gentle fall away from the house, at least 6 inches in the first 10 feet. On slopes it means terraces, swales and planting that slow water down before it cuts gullies and carries your soil to the bottom of the hill.
Texas licensed irrigator LI 0024817
We grade with laser levels and compact equipment that fits through a backyard gate. On slopes we combine low terrace walls, erosion control blankets, native seed and deep-rooted plants. On flat clay lots we regrade, build swales and connect them to drains.
Who it's for
Who this is for
Hillside homes in Canyon Lake, Helotes and Boerne with gullies, exposed roots or soil washing onto patios. Flat lots in Seguin and San Marcos where water sits for days. New builds where the builder's grade sends water toward the house.
Materials and options
Erosion control tools
| Tool | Use | Life |
|---|---|---|
| Jute or coir erosion blanket | Holds soil and seed on slopes | 1–3 years, biodegrades |
| Native seed mix (sideoats grama, little bluestem) | Permanent root cover | Permanent once established |
| Limestone terrace walls, under 3 ft | Breaks long slopes into steps | Permanent |
| Rock check dams | Slows water in swales | Permanent |
| Imported topsoil and compost | Rebuilds stripped soil | Permanent |
What it costs
What grading and erosion control costs
$3,500–$25,000
for most grading and erosion projects
Regrading a flat backyard for positive drainage usually costs $3,500 to $9,000. Slope stabilization with erosion blankets and native seed runs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot. Terraced hillsides with low limestone walls typically land between $12,000 and $25,000, priced by face square foot of wall plus grading.
Timeline
How long it takes
Most grading projects take two days to two weeks.
- Site walk and levels1 visit
- Grading plan and quote1–2 weeks
- Utility locates3 business days
- Grading and terraces1–10 days
- Blanket, seed and planting1–2 days
Working near septic and the lake
Many Canyon Lake lots drain toward the water and sit above septic drain fields. We keep heavy equipment off drain fields, use silt fence during work to keep soil out of the lake and drainage ways, and plant disturbed areas the same week so bare soil isn't exposed to the next storm.
Case study
Terraced lake hillside, Canyon Lake
A 30% slope down to a lake view, stabilized with three low limestone terraces, 38 lit steps and a composite deck with cable rail.
Read the case study“I can walk to the dock at 10 at night with a glass of wine and not think about it. The slope held through two big storms the first spring.”
Questions
Grading and erosion control questions
How much slope does a yard need to drain?
Building codes typically call for 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet away from the house, about 5%. Lawns beyond that drain well at 1 to 2%.
Will grass alone stop erosion on my slope?
On gentle slopes, often yes, once established. On slopes steeper than about 3 to 1, you need blankets, terraces or deep-rooted natives to hold soil while roots grow.
Can you work around my trees?
Yes. Adding or removing more than a few inches of soil over tree roots can kill a tree, so we design grade changes outside the root zone or use retaining edges to protect it.
Related irrigation and drainage services
All irrigation and drainage servicesWhere we build this most
Further reading
Free · 45 minutes · no obligation
Start with a free site walk
Forty-five minutes on your property with a designer. You'll leave with honest numbers and a clear next step. A fixed-price proposal with a 3D render follows within two weeks.