A rain garden is a depressed, landscaped garden planted with native plant species that is designed to retain and infiltrate stormwater runoff from individual residential or commercial lots, sump pumps and roofs. Rain gardens have also been used successfully along streets to reduce and filter street runoff.
Benefits
- Reduces runoff volumes and rates.
- Recharges groundwater and stream baseflows.
- Filters runoff pollutants.
- Can increase aesthetic value for the properties.
- Provides wildlife habitat.
- Typically low maintenance.
References
“Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners,” Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and USGS. www.dnr.state.wi.us/
Photos/Diagrams
Rain garden: Urban Resources and Borderland Alliance Network
Rain garden: Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL
