Rain Gardens
Sustainable Solutions for Storm Water Runoff
What is a rain garden?
The design of a rain garden emulates natural watersheds and wetlands. A rain garden is a shallow basin that slows down, temporarily holds rainwater, allowing it to be. absorbed into the soil and by the plants
Rain gardens can also be a solution to low areas with moist soils
Surrounding terrain that drains into the rain garden Transition zone of the rain garden
Bioswale
Surrounding terrain that drains into the rain garden
Rain garden basin
Surrounding terrain draining towards rain garden = driest zone Bioswale = alternately wet/dry zone Transition zone surrounds the basin of rain garden = alternately wet/dry zone
What is a rain garden
Rain garden basin = this zone stays wet the longest, sometimes permanently Overflow spillway is similar to the bioswale and directs flow towards traditional stormwater system
Examples of small residential size rain gardens
N.C. State University
Design Styles
Reconstructed wetlands
Or Conventional/traditional style
Design should include elements for interaction
The benefit of natural aesthetics and replaced habitat offers other opportunities for communities, such as education and recreation
Rain Gardens of any size will reduce the quantity and velocity of storm water runoff. Any reduction is a benefit. Water quality is improved as well
A Few Tips to Keep in Mind *Size is approx. 20-30% of surface draining towards rain garden *A rain garden should be no closer than 10 ft. from a building *Basin should be 4-8 minimum *Grade to ensure that water flows from the source to the rain garden and beyond to convention storm water
Surrounding terrain
Always maintain a clean edge to give a finished, garden look
St. Phillips Church in Annapolis, MD
Olivette MO
Sturtevant, WI
Franklin, NH Springfield, MO
Geauga County, Ohio
Rhode Island
10,000 rain gardens in KC, MO
www.capecodgroundwater.org Connecticut
www.ci.liberty.mo.us
Bioswales can be planted dry stream beds
www.swtdesign.com
Okeechobee County
Cincinnati Zoo
Lincoln, NE
St. Charles Boathouse
Columbia, MO
Shaw Nature Reserve
Contrast foliar texture and plant form
Choose plants with different bloom periods
Native Landscaping Manual is part of the Native Plant School held at Shaw Nature Reserve
Great plant lists of Missouri native plants for rain gardens
www.shawnature.org
