Half of my backyard is completely flat, but the back half has a pretty high slope.  It's probably 10 feet high and it's pitched pretty steep.  My issue is that water is running down the slope or just generally settling in the lowest part of the flat yard and my clay soil is preventing it from draining.  I have some standing water at the bottom of the hill away from the house in the middle of the yard.  I'm looking to lay some pipes for a french drain and either exit them to a new dry well or to the street.  I'm trying to prevent erosion of the hill and get better drainage on the flat.  I've thought about trying to do this myself, but would be interested in some pros if anyone has anyone that is good with drainage.

I think the problem is all the pesky grass you probably have growing all over that yard.  Get rid of it and install one of those pump tracks all the kids are raving about these days