1. Rain Gardens for Clean Streams

2. Did you know? Up to 70% of pollution in streams,
rivers and lakes comes from storm water runoff.

3. Planting a Rain Garden…
reduces the amount of storm water entering storm drains
helps reduce the amount of flooding by keeping water contained so that it can drain slowly over a period of time
allows soil to filter out pollutants and reduce the amount of nonpoint source pollution entering our streams

4. Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) is caused by many reasons.

5. Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas

6. Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals
from urban runoff and energy
production

7. Sediment from improperly managed
construction sites, crop and forest lands,
and eroding stream banks

8. Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines

9. Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems

10. Rain and snow melt pick up these natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water

11. Impervious surfaces (ones that do not allow water to percolate or drain through soil such as buildings, parking lots, etc) contribute runoff water and increase the amount of pollutants in runoff.

12. A garden designed specifically to improve water quality.
Rain Garden
A garden designed specifically to improve water quality.

13. Rain Gardens allow approximately 30% more water to soak into the ground.

14. Is a rain garden hard to install ?

15. Rain Garden Installation Before

16. During

17. During

18. After planting

19. After one season

20. Before

21. During

22. After

24. Determine the location
Near the house to catch only roof run off or out on the lawn to catch water from the lawn and roof

25. Location A gentle slope (no more than 10%)
Remember that the garden needs to be dug into a bowl shape and the greater the slope the deeper the bowl that will need to be created
At least 10 feet from your foundation
Near a downspout or where water naturally drains
Away from areas where water already ponds as there will be little infiltration in this area

26. Planning stage
Estimate the area which will drain into your garden (roof and/or lawn)
Determine the type of soil (sand or clay)
Gardens planted in sandy soil should be % the size of the drain area
Gardens planted in clay soil should be 60% of the drain area

27. Example
Dylan’s house is 50 feet by 40 feet so the roof area is 2000 sq ft. (50 x 40 = 2000)
He has two downspouts and will plant a rain garden in the back yard which will collect water from approximately half of the roof area or 1000 sq ft.
His soil is sandy so the size of the rain garden should be approximately 250 sq ft. (1000 x .25 = 250)

28. Remember that a rain garden of any size will help to control storm water runoff

29. Building the Rain Garden
Be sure you check with your utility company before attempting to dig in your yard.
Lay out the garden with a garden hose or landscaper’s spray paint.
Start digging on the uphill side of the garden
Remember that you will be moving soil from the uphill to the downhill side of the garden to create a berm and the bowl shape of the rain garden

30. Creating the berm
The berm will be the highest on the downhill side of the rain garden
The berm will gradually decrease as you go up the sides of the rain garden
After shaping the berm be sure to stomp it down so that it is well compacted
Cover the berm with compost/mulch or plant grass or a dry tolerant native plant to control erosion on the berm

31. Planting the garden
Consider the height, color, moisture tolerance and bloom time of plant material
Plant in groups of 3, 5 or 7 of the same variety
Add rocks, boulders or other ornamental features to add interest
Water at least once a week until plants are established

32. Maintaining the garden
Weed out any invasive or non native plants until natives are established
Stems and seed heads can be left to stand for winter interest and to attract birds and other wildlife to the garden
As spring approaches cut back all standing growth and compost or discard
Occasionally the plants should be divided

33. During and after

34. Before and after

35. Why plant a rain garden ?
To prevent flooding and excess storm water damage
To limit the amount of erosion and cut down on sediment entering our waterways
To filter out and limit the amount of pollutants reaching our waterways
To provide habitat for wildlife

36. Rain Gardens for Clean Streams

37. Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Program.  
The mission of the Bucks County Conservation District is to provide for the wise use, management and development of the county’s soil, water and related natural resources. This is accomplished with the cooperation of public agencies, private groups and individuals

38. For more information: Mary Ellen Noonan Environmental Educator
Bucks County Conservation District
1456 Ferry Road, Suite 704
Doylestown, PA 18901