Rain gardens are a green alternative to the common practices of distributing stormwater runoff.

 

Rain gardens are planted depressions that take in stormwater from impervious areas, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs, and filter the runoff before releasing it to surface waters and/or absorb the runoff into the soil. They help reduce erosion, pollution, and floods, while also helping to replenish groundwater.

 

BMJ Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. has designed several rain gardens for the St. Clair County Drain Office and St. Clair County Community College. Each rain garden designed is unique to its location and purpose.

 

The gardens are designed using native plants that are placed in areas that work best for the species. For example, some plants grow best in direct sunlight and moderately dry soil and should be placed in higher areas of the garden while some wetland plants will thrive in wet soil with low sunlight and should be placed in lower areas and under existing trees.

 

Proper materials, construction techniques, and maintenance are important for a flourishing rain garden.