Rain Gardens

Rainwater gardens are an attractive solution to saturated lawns, damp swales, and wet rights-of-way. Rain gardens filter pollution, conserve water, reduce flooding, create habitat, and help keep Minnesoa's waters clean.

What exactly is a rain garden?

It is a depression in the ground strategically placed in the landscape to capture stormwater runoff. Runoff is water that flows off impervious surfaces during a rain event, carrying lawn chemicals, motor oil, and lawn clippings. Without raingardens, these pollutants flow into our street gutters and then our lakes and streams.

Rain gardens are often placed near downspouts and impervious surfaces. Rain gardens catch the water before it reaches the streets and gutters. Low areas in the lawn are also good locations for raingardens.

To create a rain garden, first observe how water moves across you landscape. Where does water collect? Where is the water coming from? Then find an appropriate location on your property to intercept the runoff. Finally estimate the impervious surface area that will funnel water into the basin. The rain garden size should be 10-25% of that area.

Why are rain gardens important?

To keep our waters's clean! Water flows from street gutters into our lakes and rivers. Rain gardens filter out pollutants and recharge groundwater supplies. Besides conserving resources, they create habitat for birds and butterflies, and provide an attractive amenity to your yard.