Water Runs Downhill
And fast! Whatever is on the ground goes with it. It also won't stay on your property unless you make it happen.
The problem - industry and construction
The problem - residential
Back to nature. Nature provides many levels of plant structure which slow down and capture water at the source instead of letting it run away: tall trees, short trees, shrubs, perennials,grasses,herbs, prairies.
The natural ground isn't flat but swells, dips, mounds, gullies, hills and valleys. Building construction is easiest on level ground but level ground does nothing to manage water flow.
The natural ground isn't topsoil but compost as natural plant and animal debris decays and enriches soil. It's also peppered with rocks of varying sizes along with tree, shrub and plant roots that prevent erosion.
Rainwater runoff is something you can can help manage at your suburban home or homestead or farm.
Replace large open spaces of lawn with shrubs and trees and plant life.
Consider intalling rain gardens or water features like ponds in low lying areas.
Don a raincoat and walk around your yard when it rains. Study the water patterns and look for puddling or excessive streaming of water. Consider ways to capture or manage it.
Build swales to help water go in the places you prefer.
Maintain gutters and drains.
Consider french drains under ground
Here's a recorded Rain Garden presentation - Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away by BMO Logistics - Garden.
This was sponsored by the Macomb County Master Gardener Association, MCMGA.
".... Given how much water we received recently, installing a rain garden is something that may be on your mind to reduce the amount of surface water that you have to manage on your land." - Jean Fitzell Persely
You can watch the webinar here: https://us04web.zoom.us/rec/play/tcYodb2s_Gg3TtDB5ASDUPJ5W9Xseqys13NIr_FYmka2BiZVZleubuAbN7aBpTGsQACD2cdiWBfsz8Ap?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=xvEu9tXRTKaAr0goVXaSwA.1586963818478.f6b87dac8269dad9da7a8c75142593dc&_x_zm_rhtaid=874