Nationally, HomeGuide's 2026 pages show $1,000 to $4,000 as the usual cost of a yard drainage system and $10 to $35 a foot for a French drain. In Cheyenne, half the drainage problems come from snowmelt rather than rain.
The costs quoted on this page are national ranges published by HomeGuide, and none of them is our price. Frost depth, caliche, swelling clay, access and the long hauls of rural Wyoming all change a Cheyenne job. We read the HomeGuide pages in October 2026.
What is the fix for standing water in a Cheyenne yard?
Standing water needs a lower place to go. We regrade the low spot so it falls toward an outlet, shape a swale between houses, or bury a drain where the surface cannot be sloped. In sandy Cheyenne soil, water soaks in quickly once it leaves the low spot; in clay pockets it has to be carried away.
My yard stays a soggy swamp every spring. What fixes it?
A yard that turns into a soggy swamp every spring is usually collecting snowmelt from drifts and roofs faster than the half-frozen ground can take it in. The fix is to move snow storage away from the low spot, regrade so melt water runs to an outlet and, where needed, add a drain. Topsoil alone does not help.
Why does melt water and rain pool against my foundation?
Melt water and rain pool against the foundation when the soil has settled toward the house, snow is piled against the wall, or downspouts empty at the corner. Cheyenne basements then leak in spring. Rebuilding the slope, extending downspouts and storing snow elsewhere stop most of it.
What does a French drain cost in Cheyenne?
HomeGuide's French drain page puts a yard drain at $10 to $35 a linear foot, which is $500 to $8,800 once installed. An interior basement drain runs $40 to $85 per foot and is put in by waterproofing companies.
| Length | Exterior or yard drain | Interior basement drain |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $500 to $1,800 | $2,000 to $4,300 |
| 100 ft | $1,000 to $3,500 | $4,000 to $8,500 |
| 200 ft | $2,000 to $7,000 | $8,000 to $17,000 |
What does a curtain drain or a drain all around the house cost?
A curtain drain costs $10 to $35 per foot, or $1,500 to $8,800, by HomeGuide's figures. An exterior footing drain is $30 to $90 per foot, about $1,200 to $4,500 per side of the house. A curtain drain uphill of the house helps on sloped lots in Laramie and west Fort Collins.
Will a dry well or a French drain work better in my soil?
A dry well works in sandy and gravelly soil that takes water in, and a French drain works anywhere the water can be carried to an outlet. A dry well costs $300 to $1,500 on HomeGuide's list. Much of Cheyenne drains well enough for a dry well, but swelling clay in Wellington and Fort Collins does not, and water should never be stored next to a foundation there.
When do I need a swale versus a catch basin, and what does a swale cost?
HomeGuide's figure for a swale is $250 to $1,000. You need a swale when water can flow across the surface in a broad, shallow grass channel, and a catch basin when water must be collected at a low point and piped away, such as beside a driveway or a patio. In snow country, swales clear more easily than grates that ice over.
How deep should a drain or drainage ditch be dug here?
How deep a drain goes depends on what it drains. A swale is a few inches deep and mowable. A yard French drain is commonly 18 to 24 inches deep, and a footing drain sits at the base of the foundation. In Cheyenne, the outlet end must be placed where it will not freeze shut.
Can downspouts be buried to carry roof melt away from the house?
Yes, downspouts can be buried in solid pipe to an outlet away from the house. Buried downspout extensions cost $150 to $350 apiece, per HomeGuide. Here, the pipe needs a steady fall and an outlet that does not freeze solid, or melt water backs up in March.
My neighbor's water runs onto my lot. What can I do in Wyoming?
When a neighbor's water runs onto your lot, start with a conversation and photos taken during a storm or a thaw. Surface water disputes depend on the facts, such as whether the water follows its natural path or was redirected toward you. This is general information about Wyoming, not legal advice. On your side, a swale or a low berm can often steer the water around your house.
Can excavation stop water coming into my basement?
Excavation stops water coming into a basement when the water comes from outside: bad grading, snow piled at the wall, short downspouts or a failed footing drain. We regrade and dig drains outside. Cracks and water rising through the floor are work for a foundation or waterproofing company, and we can dig to give them access.
Want a price for your own place? Call or text (307) 317-7006, and after a site visit we put the scope and the cost on paper.