A rain garden is a strategically located low area planted with (usually) native plants that intercepts runoff from rain events and allows it to infiltrate the soil.
Just think of all the paved areas we have...rain will not penetrate into soil but is directed into storm sewers where this unfiltrated water is either redirected through waste water treatment or goes directly into lakes, ponds, or streams. I don't know about you, but I see some gross stuff on pavement. Not only oil and other car or truck leakages but roadkill, trash, etc.
A city block will shed 9 times more runoff than a wooded area of similar size.
Rain gardens will:
- increase the amount of water that infiltrates the soil to recharge aquifers
- help protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
- help protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by runoff
- protect against the negative effects of impervious surfaces created by development
- enhance neighborhood beauty
- provide wildlife habitat (birds, bees, and butterflies)
For more information, click here.
Pulaski County will be getting a rain garden in the spring of 2013 and the public will be invited to attend to learn how to situate and construct one of these. Should be fun.
