A beautiful, functional backyard AND mitigating stormwater issues are not mutually exclusive concepts. In fact, there are multiple landscape design strategies that can help solve stormwater issues. In the Raleigh area, we receive about 50″ of rain per year. For a 1000 square foot roof, that equates to 31,000 gallons of rainwater coming off that roof per year. We have our fair share of droughts though as well. So the smart approach is to landscape in a way that is harmonious in how we receive our rain.