I can see why you might be concerned about a doggy paw slipping down but, at the same time, I can't imagine that you'd really want to cover them with anything solid that would force you to have to run out in the middle of a downpour to remove the cover. Besides, you might not be at home when it starts pouring.

Maybe you could use something like the grip-lock drainage tiles shown in the link below to cover the area. Lots of companies make similar drainage tiles. They're usually advertized for use in garages but these are supposed to be for outdoor use as well as indoor. If you used green ones, it might blend in well enough not to be too obvious from a distance...at least not in the summer time.

Of course, if your dogs are like mine, they just might decide that the drainage tiles are a toy for them to drag around and chew on! But these are cheap enough that it's probably at least worth a try.

If you're also concerned about how the drains look, consider creating free-from flower garden areas around each of the drains. Bushes and flowers planted around the drains will hide them from view.

Here is a link that might be useful: drainage tiles

Use hardware cloth, lay it over the grate, hem the edges (turn under so there are no sharp points) and secure to the grate with zip ties.

Here is a link that might be useful:

exactly what I was thinking dim2000!

best of luck.

If you do cover the drains, make sure your covers don't get clogged.

Depending on what your city is like (some are more likely to be punitive than others) I might check to see if it's legal to cover the drains. An alternative to zip ties could be weighing down the edges of the hardware cloth-- if city workers need to access the sewers via those drains, they might prefer your cover not be attached.

Another possible cover idea: you could build platforms to sit over the drain-- if they were 5-6" off the ground, run-off should be able to go under them no problem, so it would interfere less with the drain's function than hardware cloth, and might be more attractive.

I like the idea of landscaping around them, but you would want to take some measure to keep your mulch and planting mix from being washed down the drain. Edging, maybe?

My 2 cents. Do not do anything to the drains. They were placed there for a reason based on past issues. Our community has 3 major streets that do not have sewer lines because they run downhill into a small creek. Behind several of the houses there are drains like yours that allow water from a fast and furious rainfall to escape.

Talk to the public works dept and city engineer for alternatives to mask the area. Landscaping can be moved 10 feet away from the drain with hardscape (large rocks) and planting. I would not use mulch in the area.

Best of luck.

Depending on their location, just fence off that section of the yard. Do NOT under any circumstances cover them with anything. Hardware cloth will trap debris, leading to a buildup and blockage. You might experience your area's first flood in your own home if you blocked those drains!

Next up, a thread on how to cover those ugly fire hydrants in our yards.

(When our neighbour's poolhouse exploded in flames last summer, the firefighters were delayed looking for a hydrant as a fastidious homeowner had masked it with attractive plantings.)

Is there something I can do to cover these that I can easily remove if it rains hard?

They are city drains ... ask the city what your options are.

About the best you can do is put a small square fence around them - something that will not block water flowing to the drains.