Ideas for 'runoff gardens'?

Hello,

I'm on the Wet Coast (though our summers are drought like). We've owned our place for almost 3 years. Our 5 acre place has a small pond at the lower end (though the slope is gentle), so much of the winter rain ends up in the pond, due to slope. There has never been much attempt to create any intentional water movement in the past, as far as I can tell. I need to start diverting water, especially away from the gravel driveway area and around the house. Eventually it will end up in the pond. Currently it's causing problems, especially during heavy rains. I'm pretty sure what to do to move the water away, I'm looking for help regarding using the waters path to good measure.

I'd like the water to do some work on the way down hill. I'm looking for inspiration, examples, designs, plans, etc... for 'runoff gardens'. I'm familiar with the urban 'rain gardens' along roads and sidewalks. I'm looking for something more 'country, smallholder permaculture'. It would also be best if it could handle DRY summers (almost no rain from April to October). It could be food, pollination, beauty... Perhaps even an early season water crop that I could harvest before the spot dries out in the summer.

Ideas? Pointers? Links?

Thanks!

Personally I would look at native plants, as some of them are adapted to wet/dry cycles. They just go dormant when it is too dry. Maybe some of the edible native tubers and bulbs?

http://northernbushcraft.com/guide.php?ctgy=edible_plants®ion=bc