Transcript Document
Rain Gardens Doing your part for cleaner water What happens after the rainwater leaves your property? It goes to 6415 Granger Road! Cuyahoga River Watershed • The Cuyahoga River is 100 miles long with the last 20 flowing through Cuyahoga County. What slows down the water flow? 45% increased runoff The Burning River 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. 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 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-desacs and parking islands Bio-Retention in theory Another Plan Bio-Retention in Practice Plant Material Grass Buffer Overflow Bio-Retention Soil Mulch Layer 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. 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. 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 Rain Gardens General Profile Good Examples More Examples Plant Selection Rain Garden Plants for Clay Soils and Full Sun Aesclepias incaranata Red Milkweed Baptisia lactea White False Indigo Iris versicolor Blue Flag Iris Penstemon digitalis Smooth Penstemon Liatris pycostachya Prairie Blazingstar Parthenium intefrifolium Wild Quinine Ratibida pinnata Yellow Coneflower Rudbeckia subtomentosa Black-eyed Susan Veronia fasciculata Ironweed Aster novae-angliae New England Aster Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod Carex vulpinoidea Fox Sedge 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 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 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) 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) Nonpoint Source Pollution They include: • Pesticides • Fertilizers • Pet Waste • Automotive Fluids 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) 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 For More Information