Retaining walls in Rathdrum, ID
Walls, drainage and landscaping for Rathdrum's growing neighborhoods and prairie acreage.
Rathdrum sits on the prairie at the foot of the Selkirk foothills, and it has grown quickly with new subdivisions and acreage homes. Wall projects here are often about grade: leveling a sloped backyard, holding back a cut for a shop or driveway, or building landscaping walls on flatter lots.
What's under the ground in Rathdrum?
The Rathdrum Prairie was built by catastrophic glacial floods between about 8,000 and 18,000 years ago, which left gravel, cobbles and boulders rather than fine sediment. That ground drains quickly and gives walls a solid base, but it also means water and anything in it reach the aquifer below easily. Idaho has designated the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer as its only Sensitive Resource Aquifer, in addition to its federal sole-source designation.
Do I need a county permit for grading?
Outside Rathdrum city limits, Kootenai County requires a site disturbance permit for most grading and excavation. Small projects can qualify for an exemption, but only under conditions such as moving less than 50 cubic yards of material, working on slopes under 10 percent and staying more than 500 feet from surface water. Inside the city, ask the City of Rathdrum.
What do Rathdrum wall projects usually involve?
- Walls for shops, driveways and parking pads on acreage
- Backyard leveling walls in new subdivisions
- Boulder landscaping walls
- Drainage fixes on lots where runoff collects
Common questions
Do I need a site disturbance permit for a wall outside Rathdrum?
Most grading and excavation in unincorporated Kootenai County needs one. Small projects can be exempt under conditions such as less than 50 cubic yards of material and slopes under 10 percent.
Is Rathdrum soil good for retaining walls?
The prairie gravels drain well and make a firm base, but excavation can be slow through cobbles and boulders.
Services in Rathdrum
- Retaining wall installationNew block walls to hold back slopes, level yards and create usable space.
- Boulder & rock wallsNatural stone walls and terraces that fit the North Idaho landscape.
- Retaining wall repair & replacementFixes for walls that are leaning, bulging, cracking or washing out.
- Wall drainage & French drainsDrain pipe, drain stone and French drains that keep water from pushing walls over.
- Terraces, steps & tiered wallsTiered walls, terraces and stone steps that turn a slope into usable space.
Nearby areas
Wall leaning, bulging or cracking?
A moving wall can fail suddenly. Keep people and vehicles clear and call to get it looked at.