A french drain is a near-surface drainage system that is designed to increase the overall infiltration rate of the surrounding area and is used primarily to fix wet yard problems. The system consists of an excavation approximately 8 to 16 inches deep, a filter fabric lining, a 2-inch base of gravel, a 4-inch perforated pipe with protective fabric, and gravel surrounding the perforated pipe. The french drain can be topped with gravel for a high infiltration rate or with sod to hide it beneath the lawn. The higher the clay content in the soil, the lower the general infiltration rate. Wet yard problems are commonly caused by a combination of clayey soil, a level ground surface, and a high groundwater table. French drains are not meant to handle and are not designed for stormwater drainage.

Preferably with a series of swales and/or berms. A swale is a relatively shallow linear depression in the ground surface designed to direct stormwater away from structures. A berm is a relatively small rise in the ground surface that protects a structure by preventing stormwater from flowing towards it.