RainGardensSustainable Solutions for Storm Water Runoff
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
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens can also be a solution to low areas
with moist soils
Surrounding terrain that drains into the rain garden
Surrounding terrain that
drains into the rain garden
Rain garden basin
BioswaleTransition zone of
the rain garden
What is a rain garden
Bioswale = alternately wet/dry zone
Surrounding terrain draining towards rain garden = driest zone
Transition zone surrounds the basin of rain garden = alternately wet/dry zone
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
The benefit of natural aesthetics and replaced habitat offers other opportunities for communities,
such as education and recreation
Design should include elements for interaction
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
Connecticut
10,000 rain gardens in KC, MO
www.capecodgroundwater.org
www.ci.liberty.mo.us
www.swtdesign.com
Bioswales …can be planted dry stream beds
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 Manualis part of the
Native Plant School held at Shaw Nature Reserve
Great plant lists of Missouri native plants for rain gardens
www.shawnature.org