Dry Stream Beds
If you are looking for an attractive means to conduct water on your property, consider a dry stream bed. This is a shallow swale that has water running in it only in wet weather. Line with decorative gravel and various sized boulders and plant edges with plants associated with water such as iris and sedges. Make sure it is meandering not straight so that it looks more natural. The origin of the water can be your downspouts or maybe you just want to divert water away from your foundation. This sustainable solution allows much of the water to percolate into the soil, helping to recharge the ground water.