Rain Gardens

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Rain Gardens

• Doing your part for cleaner water

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What happens after the rainwater leaves your
property?
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It goes to 6415 Granger Road!
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Cuyahoga River Watershed

• The Cuyahoga River is 100 miles long with the
  last 20 flowing through Cuyahoga County.

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What slows down the water flow?
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45 increased runoff
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The Burning River
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Clean Water Act

• Developed as a guide for states to improve water
  quality from storm water run-off
• Mandatory regulations for developers to handle
  ALL storm water on site.

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Current Practices

• Above ground retention ponds
• Holds water continuously
• Above ground detention ponds
• Holds water for a short period of time
• Underground retention structures
• Increased use of pervious surface building
  practices

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Bio-Retention

• Provides water remediation at the source point.
• Typically specified for draining areas of 2 acres
  or less
• Used where land uses include highly impervious
  areas like parking lots, roadways, cul-de-sacs
  and parking islands

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Bio-Retention in theory
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Another Plan
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Bio-Retention in Practice
Plant Material
Grass Buffer
Overflow
Bio-Retention Soil
Mulch Layer
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Rain Gardens

• Similar to a Bio-Retention Cell on a small scale
• Especially useful near downspouts to clean
  rooftop runoff, near streams to clean
  contaminated lawn runoff, or within storm water
  runoff areas
• Filters sediment and contaminants before entering
  streams or storm systems.

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Why Build a Rain Garden?

• Water soaks in, replenishes groundwater and helps
  prevent flooding.
• A rain garden protects water quality by trapping
  sediment, fertilizers and other pollutants.
• It needs no additional fertilizer and little
  pesticides.
• Native plants provide food and shelter for
  butterflies, song birds and other animals.

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Building a Rain Garden

• Determine the Location
• Downspout, creek, swale, etc
• Determine the approximate area that will be
  draining and the slope
• Calculate the size
• Dig, fill with rain garden soil, plant and mulch

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Rain Gardens
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General Profile
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Good Examples
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More Examples
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Plant Selection
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Rain Garden Plants for Clay Soils and Full Sun
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Soil Blend

• Ideal texture is a Loamy Sand
• Allows for the right amount of permeability for
  proper residence time
• 70-80 sand
• 20-30 silts clays
• 5-10 organic

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KB Rain Garden Soil

• Currently in development
• Available now in bulk quantities by the yard
• Undergoing market testing for bagged product
• Same blend as Bio-Retention Soil
• Currently being used on most new bio-retention
  projects

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Nonpoint Source Pollution

• The type of pollution resulting from stormwater
  runoff is called nonpoint source pollution and
  is the leading source of water pollution in the
  U.S.A. Some of the most common nonpoint source
  pollutants originate in our own backyards.
  (US EPA, 2009)

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What causes nonpoint source pollution?

• We all play a part. Nonpoint source pollution
  results from a wide variety of human activities
  on the land. Each of us can contribute to the
  problem without even realizing it.
• (US EPA, 2009)

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Nonpoint Source Pollution

• They include
• Pesticides
• Fertilizers
• Pet Waste
• Automotive Fluids

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What can be done about nonpoint source pollution?

• Locally, such as by zoning or erosion control
  ordinances
• And each individual can play an important role by
  practicing conservation and by changing certain
  everyday habits. (US EPA, 2009)

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Rainbarrels
A container used to collect and store rainwater
from the roof. Water that would otherwise be lost
to runoff and diverted to a storm drain or out
onto your property. Use the water for watering
your garden or landscaped areas. Reduces the
need for additional tax dollars earmarked for
sewer expansion Naturally softened water is
great for delicate houseplants, car and window
washing Saves money by lowering your water
bill Backup sources of water during times of
drought or between rain showers
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For More Information