Rain garden demonstration partnership project at Div. of Wilflife

A rain garden is an attractive landscaped area in a low spot. They catch storm water runoff from rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, roads, and other impervious surfaces that would otherwise carry polluted water directly to our creeks and streams. Rain gardens are planted with deep rooted, water and drought tolerant plants. They can be installed on residential lots (urban and rural), commercial lots, and community areas.

How do they work?

Rain gardens allow rainwater and snow-melt to seep naturally into the ground. They function to slow and reduce storm water runoff. The deep roots allow for infiltration of water, providing better percolation compared to short-rooted turf grass. Pollutants carried from runoff are collected in the rain garden and filter through the root system and the soil. Groundwater carried away from rain gardens allows for cleaner water to enter our streams.

Benefits

Benefits of rain gardens include: reducing amount of storm water (minimizing flooding and property damage threats), improvement of water quality of streams, low-cost conservation practice, provide wildlife habitat, simple installation, and provide an aesthetically pleasing landscape feature.

Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District and Rain Gardens
Franklin Soil and Water has been working to educate and provide technical assistance to landowners, local community groups, and municipalities on rain garden implementation. Franklin Soil and Water is the lead for the Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative. Through technical assistance, the District has been able to help with the installation of 30+ rain gardens. Franklin Soil and Water can provide site assessments, soils suitability, and planting lists to interested residents.

Please call our office if you would like more information: (614) 486-9613

Stephanie Suter ext. 125 or  ssuter@franklinswcd.org

Links
Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative
Geauga SWCD Rain Garden Manual (PDF)
Rain Garden booklet (PDF)
Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Gardens
Rain Garden Network
Burnsville, MN rain gardens – final study link at bottom of that page
Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative
Mt. Airy Rain Catchers
Maplewood, MN
Rain Gardens of West Michigan
Blue Thumb: Planting for Clean Water

Published: August 25th, 2010