Rain Gardens
Saint Louis Rain Gardens
Saint Louis Rain Gardens is a RdPWC project working to gather data on existing rain gardens in the Saint Louis area. We seek to compile a list of local rain gardens and some basic information regarding the gardens themselves such as resources utilized by gardeners, costs incurred and other relevant data. These surveys will be used to provide better information to the Saint Louis community and to facilitate future garden projects. To jump-start our process, this web page includes an online survey where you can register your garden as well as a list of links to useful rain garden informational sites. Please take a moment to let us know about your rain garden by filling out this form. We appreciate your interest and involvement so feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you!
Background
Rain gardens are a natural technique for tackling the problem of urban storm water management. Each time it rains, runoff from the built environment flows over our cities' hard, impervious surfaces (asphalt, roofing, and concrete) instead of slowly soaking into the soil. This storm water has several potential effects:
- Flooding: in the absence of natural absorption, storms may cause damaging floods
- Pollution: storm water carries with it sediments, chemicals, and pollutants, which can harm both people and the environment.
- Ecosystem Endangerment: the fast flowing water causes rapid surges and declines in urban streams, accelerating erosion and endangering the balance of watershed ecosystems.
- Ground Water Supply: channelized storm water diminishes the supply of naturally filtered ground water, an important and declining source of drinking water.
By using native planting to soak up rainwater, rain gardens provide an alternative to storm drains. Rain gardens can increase absorption, therefore reducing the overall speed and quantity of flow in urban streams and decreasing flooding risk. By letting water be naturally absorbed by the soil, you reduce the amount of harmful pollutants carried into streams. Rain gardens additionally help to preserve more natural flows in urban streams. And by building a rain garden you are also doing your part to protect the nation's precious groundwater supply.
For More Information
- http://www.urbanwaterquality.org/RainGardens/website.htm
- http://www.raingardens.org/FAQ.php
- http://www.mowildflowers.net/growinginfo/raingarden.html
References
- "Rain Gardens". Healthy Landscapes Program. University of Rhode Island. (http://www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/raingarden) 2007.
- "Residential Stewardship". Center for Watershed Protection. (http://www.cwp.org) 2008.
- 10,000 Rain Gardens. Kansas City, MO. (http://www.rainkc.com) 2008.
Questions? Contact stlraingardens@gmail.com