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So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke City of Austin Watershed Protection Department Sustainable Stormwater Solutions Section July 2014

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Page 1: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

So You Want to Build a Rain Garden…

What have we learned so far?

Tom Franke

City of Austin

Watershed Protection Department

Sustainable Stormwater Solutions Section

July 2014

Page 2: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

What is a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a vegetated, depressed landscape area designed to capture and infiltrate and/or filter stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces.

Page 3: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Rain Garden Guidance

Why Build a Rain Garden?

• Protect Watershed

• Conserve Water

• Conserve Energy

• Wildlife Friendly

• Aesthetics

Page 4: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Siting For Water Quality Credit:

Land Use - 1. Commercial, Multi-Family, Civic, and Right of Way developments only.

2. Single Family water quality credit coming soon.

Stormwater Hotspots - Infiltration rain gardens are not allowed in areas where activities generate highly contaminated runoff due to the potential for ground water contamination.

Page 5: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Location Drainage Area – Contributing DA not to exceed 2.0 acres.

Setbacks – Prevent adverse impacts to building foundations, basements, wellheads,

and roadways

Slopes – Should not be located on slopes exceeding 15 percent

Soil Conditions – Consider depth to water table, bedrock, and the soil infiltration rate

Page 6: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Soil Analysis

Infiltration rates –

For infiltration rain gardens

• Don’t rely of soil survey maps or desktop evaluation for soil infiltration rates

• Perform an onsite infiltration test (perc test)

• Perform at least one test for every 2000 square feet of rain garden

• Be sure to dig test hole deep enough to measure infiltration at the bottom of the rain garden.

Page 7: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

How Deep???

Dig Test Hole to

this Depth

Page 8: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Drainage Area

• Desktop analysis • GIS and Google map

• Field Verify Drainage Areas • Preferably in the rain

• Design for certainty of capture • Grading features or trench drains

Page 9: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Drainage Area

Page 10: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Certainty of Capture

FAIL

Page 11: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Inlet Design

Rain Garden Inlet

Stormsewer Inlet

Page 12: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Items to consider

Flow Control • Flows into the rain garden should not exceed 2 feet per second. (ROT: use the

25 yr storm event)

Watch the Elevations during Construction • Top of the area inlet

• Location of curb cut and overflow weir

Don’t block flow path into RG • Often the addition of topsoil, sod, rock splash pad, etc. is not considered

during design or construction and WQV is reduced or flows are hindered

Water Quality ElevationWater Quality Elevation

Water Quality ElevationWater Quality Elevation

Page 13: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Media and Underdrains Biofiltration medium

Blend: 70% concrete sand and 30% chocolate loam No compost Aged mulch (partially decomposed) may be added (up to 5%)

Increase Water Holding Capacity No added nutrients Compost not allowed

Plants Miniature biofilters provide enhanced nutrient removal Plant health is important in variable conditions

Saturated zone Promotes pollution removal May help with plant viability

Underdrain design Allows plant roots to access underlying soil Washed river gravel works best…

Page 14: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Underdrains

Page 15: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider
Page 16: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider
Page 17: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Rain Garden Landscaping Critical to Project Success

Integrate Engineering & Landscape

Team: Include Landscape Professional

Page 18: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Rain Gardens: Plants • Plants are an essential component –

they filter and clean stormwater, and stabilize the soil

• Use Native or adapted plants

• Use Drought-tolerant plants

• Plants with fibrous root systems are very beneficial

• Plant roots will maintain and increase soil porosity

• Avoid plants that require well-drained soils

• Diversity of plant types

Page 19: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Rain Gardens: Plants PLANT INFORMATION SOURCES • Non-residential follow ECM 1.6.7C, Biofiltration

• Turf grass (e.g., buffalo grass)

• Groundcovers

• Small trees

Other with approval

• Perennials

• Shrubs

• Grasses, Sedges

Page 20: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Rain Gardens: Plants PLANT INFORMATION SOURCES

• Residential

Grow Green brochure

Landscape Plants guide

Page 21: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Source: sbgardendesign.wordpress.com

Maintenance “Another flaw in the human character is that everybody

wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.”

― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2778055.Kurt_Vonnegut
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1683551
Page 22: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Consider Maintenance During Design

• Design with maintenance in mind.

• Select native vegetation whenever possible.

• Plan vegetation throughout the entire garden.

• Plants should predominate over mulch or gravel soil stabilization.

• Proper plant spacing is important.

• Crushed granite & other materials with fines should not be used as they can clog the system, preventing proper drainage.

• If pedestrian traffic is expected, provide stepping stones to direct walking.

• Plant spiny vegetation along garden edge to discourage pedestrian use.

• Design the garden depression to be as shallow as possible to facilitate mowing and reduce erosion.

Page 23: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Post-construction Maintenance

Plants

Prune excessive growth or prune for plant health

Do not prune native plants in geometric or unnatural shapes

Bunch grasses no shorter than 18”

Mow sod-forming grasses no shorter than 4”

Page 24: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Post-construction Maintenance

Maintain mulch depth & coverage. No bare areas over 10 s.f. Repair erosion, animal burrows.

Plants, Mulch, Soil

Remove or control weeds

with minimal herbicide, pesticide use.

IPM

Replace dead or diseased vegetation. 95% living veg. is required.

Page 25: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Post-construction Maintenance Trash, Dead Animals, Standing Water

Water standing for over 96 hrs may signal clogging & become a mosquito breeding area

Remove dead animals, pet waste, and trash regularly

Page 26: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Direct link =

www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/stormwater/GSI_

Maintenance_Manual_web.pdf

Green Stormwater Infrastructure – Maintenance Manual

Completed early 2014

Includes:

• Recommended maintenance schedule

• Checklist of items to inspect/maintain for a

variety of stormwater control measures

http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/stormwater/GSI_Maintenance_Manual_web.pdf
http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/stormwater/GSI_Maintenance_Manual_web.pdf
Page 27: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Completed projects in the area

AARC

0 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.20.4Miles

Steck at Rockwood

Burnet at Cullen Madison at Woodrow

Reese at Grover

JJ Pickle Elementary

34th at 35th

Page 28: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Burnet & Cullen Intersection Improvement

Page 29: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Grover & Reese Intersection Improvement

Page 30: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Steck at Rockwood

Page 31: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

JJ Pickle Elementary

Page 32: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

One Texas Center Rain Gardens

Increased Plant Growth

w/Infiltration Design

Page 33: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Green Alley

Demonstration

Project

In Partnership with:

City of Austin,

University of Texas, &

Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation

Page 34: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Alley Before Reconstruction

Page 35: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider
Page 36: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider
Page 37: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider
Page 38: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Completed Rain Gardens

Page 39: So You Want to Build a Rain - Austin, Texas · 2014-07-31 · So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far? Tom Franke ... ― Kurt Vonnegut, Hocus Pocus . Consider

Questions ???

Tom Franke – Watershed Protection Department

Phone: 512-974-1882

Email: [email protected]


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