Building a backyard stream

[lifeflower]

This will be our 2nd summer in our new house. Last summer we noticed that part of our lawn was wet, really wet! We were only able to mow that section twice over the whole summer.
It seems that there is runoff from the hill behind our house which is trying to make its way to the ditch by the road. The ditch is full of weeds and doesn't seem to be draining well at all. I called the local highway dept and had them come take a look. This was an unpleasant visit! I asked if they could clean the ditch out so it would be less congested, but they stressed that they couldn't dig it any deeper...(quả óc chó)
One of the men recalled having been here before for the same issue with the previous owners
It seemed the only option was to put in drainage diagonally across the lawn which would be very expensive!
I pitched the idea of building a stream bed and got the green light from my husband now the next step is to start it before all the snow melts and its a mess. Honestly I'm kinda stumped! Where do I start? Where am I going to keep all that dirt? Where will I find enough rocks?(I try to do everything for free)
Is there anyone with experience with this kind of project?
The biggest concern at this point is if it will stay flowing or dry right up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[hotrodharley]

Your biggest concern better be permits. First off diverting any water is usually against the law. You may not divert or dam any flowing water. Even on land you own outright. Next, if permits are required and you fail to obtain them if you think the first visit was unpleasant . . .. If a permit is required and you do not have one remedies usually involve you paying a heft daily fine until the permit is secured and all the work done prior to that is replaced! The dirt you remove? Permit. Your insurance can be cancelled for such activity. Especially if it alters the flow to where any person downstream from it can claim damages from the work you did.

 

[countrypickle]

Pfffft to permits.. cozy up to neighbors first pitch the idea go from there.. lol j/k
Is it also against the law to dam it off if you first fill the initial hole yourself with your house water, then technically you arent keeping any of the flowing water on your property.. its still working its way thru like before.
I supopsed you could drain tile a line opposite the direction of the hill and channel it all into one direction then u can work from there.
But yeah permit first is best. I dug one out by hand took me three yrs.. Its not quite done yet.(Luckily Im in an area that not concerned as much about permits for small things.. just buildings etc )
Most nights you will find me down there chilling with the goats.. listening to the waterfall, having my "troubles go away for today " smoke.. and watching the widlife.. Worth the work., If not too much hassles with permits Id say give
extra bonus .. great camouflauge too

 

[The Nine]

Pfffft to permits.. cozy up to neighbors first pitch the idea go from there.. lol j/k
Is it also against the law to dam it off if you first fill the initial hole yourself with your house water, then technically you arent keeping any of the flowing water on your property.. its still working its way thru like before.
I supopsed you could drain tile a line opposite the direction of the hill and channel it all into one direction then u can work from there.
But yeah permit first is best. I dug one out by hand took me three yrs.. Its not quite done yet.(Luckily Im in an area that not concerned as much about permits for small things.. just buildings etc )
Most nights you will find me down there chilling with the goats.. listening to the waterfall, having my "troubles go away for today " smoke.. and watching the widlife.. Worth the work., If not too much hassles with permits Id say give
extra bonus .. great camouflauge too

Well done mate, looks sublime.

You are sitting on a real good source of energy there.
I recommend 'living energies' a book by Callum coats discussing the work of Walter schauberger
Looks like you could accommodate a water vortex generator to harness electricity and the out flowing flowing water would then be oxigenated and alive.. The very very best water for growing plants in bar none.

Hope this helps