Dealing with Erosion at a roadside and from a drain

There's the asphalt road that goes across the front of my property, with water that comes off the road and into my yard. The dirt is slowly washing away from the road and every year I had to go and add more dirt and rocks up to the edge of the road, only to have it wear away during the monsoon season.

What I'm trying to figure out is the best way to prevent erosion at the road's edge while still directing the water onto my property. Ideas?


I also have a drain from the roof that empties out right next to the house, onto some brick that has dirt underneath. I do NOT want to store this in a container because half the yard has grown up used to getting at least a good portion of this water. I just want to direct it a little better and take up the brick so I can potentially plant a little something near it (or near little midget stone swales with a bit of dirt on the back, maybe?), but I'm concerned about how to deal with the flow without it washing things away. I think the opening for the drain is maybe 2 inches by 4 or 5 inches, but when monsoons come, it is gushing water, so it can have a bit of force for a few minutes and every once in a while, for a few hours. I also don't want to have it keeping the water too near the house's foundations either, of course.

I can take a picture of these areas if it might help?

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

For the road issue:
One rock dam?
Gabion?
straw bales?

I would also recommend the book: Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster. The solutions you are looking for are in this book (Vol 1 and 2), pictures, examples, and explanations. Well worth the money.

The energy coming from the downspout needs to be dissipated. Typically large river rocks 4 to 6 inch diameter will slow the water and prevent erosion. As for taking it away from your house a drainage path of river rocks to a depression containing a sponge (sunken organic material).