Site Grading 3.0- Please help

[mmoss124]

So I've taken this test already and failed essentially because of the site grading. I thought I kinda understood the grading but clearly I didn't. So I will be taking the test soon and this is my first attempt to the 3.0. I didn't look hard at the solution so please give me all your comments so I can use them when I read over the solution.

I will then move on to the 4.0.
Any suggestions on alternate practice vignettes- would be great. I have Dorf which I've started working on by hand. I need all the help I can get

Thanks in advance

[Bazocrat]

mmoss124,
I never practiced this vignette, however I do have the following comments just based on observation.
- It appears you have over graded the project. I'm sure the program states that you must channel the water around the existing platform without disturbing the grade below it or any other feature on the site. You have started creating swales so far up the hill and down the hill that you're grading almost 50% of the site. Swales can be created at the high side of the platform and end once the water passes the platform.
- You also seem to have a habit of creating a ridge in order to create a swale as seen in contour 108. On the northeast side of the display you have created a ridge (points downhill) that forces the water against the display and then a swale north of that. You've done the same thing to the southwest of the display on the same contour. There is no reason to point the contour downhill (ridge) in order to create a swale. Just take it from the existing location and drag it uphill. Boom. You've got a swale. Stay away from ridges along the side of the platform since all they do is direct water straight into the paved area.
- I realize there is most likely a minimum and maximum slope so you may need to adjust contours downhill of your solution in order to avoid exceeding the minimum slope, however, you do not need to grade that far down the hill away from the solution. Same goes for up hill. The water naturally flows down towards the display, just pick it up before it hits the display and channel it around. Don't try to direct it way up hill because this will lead to excessive grading, a no-no.
Good luck.

[mmoss124]

Thanks so much-- I'm going to review it again and your comments and repost

[lug-nut]

SEVERELY over graded.

No runoff protection for the are N and W of the paved area. Fatal. You actually made it worse.