Boulder Retaining Wall and Stone Steps Solve a Runoff Problem

Slopes are tricky. Left alone, they erode, wash out, and become more of a liability than usable space. That's exactly what this homeowner was dealing with - an overgrown slope with serious runoff and drainage issues that made the yard feel unusable. We came in with a two-phase plan to fix it the right way.

Phase one was all about site prep. We used our Bobcat to excavate and regrade the slope, cutting into the hillside to create a stable base for the wall. That kind of groundwork isn't glamorous, but it's what makes everything else hold up over time. Skip it, and you're just stacking rocks on a problem.

Phase two was where the hardscape work came in. We built a substantial boulder retaining wall using large natural fieldstone, then integrated stone steps right into the wall so the homeowner can actually move between the two levels without a second thought. Crushed gravel was packed along the back side of the wall - that's your drainage layer, and it's a critical piece that keeps hydrostatic pressure from building up behind the stone.

What we ended up with is a yard that works. The wall holds the slope. The steps give access. The gravel manages the water. And the whole thing looks like it belongs there - not like something bolted on as an afterthought. Natural stone hardscapes age well and get better looking over time, which is part of why we like building them.

A lot of properties have slopes or drainage issues that homeowners just learn to live with. You don't have to. The right combination of excavation, grading, and hardscape work can turn a frustrating part of your yard into something that actually functions - and looks great doing it.