Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens-A How To Manual for Homeowners
https://doee.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddoe/publication/attachments/RaingardenHow2HomeownerUWExtension.pdf

Homeowners in many parts of the country are catching on to rain gardens – land-
scaped areas planted to wild flowers and other native vegetation that soak up rain water,
mainly from the roof of a house or other building. The rain garden fills with a few inches
ofwater after a storm and the water slowly filters into the ground rather than running off
toa storm drain. Compared to a conventional patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about
30% more water to soak into the ground.

Why are rain gardens important? As cities and suburbs grow and replace forests and
agricultural land, increased stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces becomes a
problem. Stormwater runoff from developed areas increases flooding; carries pollutants
from streets, parking lots and even lawns into local streams and lakes; and leads to costly
municipal improvements in stormwater treatment structures.

By reducing stormwater runoff, rain gardens can be a valuable part of changing these
trends. While an individual rain garden may seem like a small thing, collectively they
produce substantial neighborhood and community environmental benefits. Rain gardens
work for us in several ways: ---CONTINUED----