Rain Gardens

Overview

Rain Gardens, also known as bioretention cells​, are a beautiful way to manage stormwater on site. A rain garden is a constructed depression in the soil that ranges from a few inches to several feet in depth, depending on the amount of area that drains into the rain garden. The depression is filled with an engineered soil mixture that allows water to percolate quickly. The garden is then planted with shrubs and flowers that "drink" up the stormwater.

See Also

• Opequon Creek Project Team

  The Opequon Creek Project Team (OCPT) was formed in April 2005 to plan and implement nonpoint source pollution reduction projects in the watershed.

• Rain Garden Network

  A rain garden is no more than a shallow depression, planted with deep-rooted native plants and positioned near a runoff source.

Reduces Stormwater Runoff

• These practices store and infiltrate stormwater, which mitigates flood impacts and prevents the stormwater from polluting local waterways.

Increases Available Water Supply

• By reducing the amount of potable water used for outdoor irrigation, these practices may also increase available water supplies.

Increases Groundwater Recharge

• Bioretention and infiltration practices have the potential to increase groundwater recharge by directing rainwater into the ground instead of pipes.

Improves Air Quality

• Like other vegetated green infrastructure features, infiltration practices can improve air quality through uptake of criteria air pollutants and the deposition of particulate matter.
• By minimizing the amount of water entering treatment facilities, these practices also reduce energy use which, in turn, reduces air pollution by lowering the amount of greenhouses gases emitted.

Reduces Urban Heat Island

• Through evaporative cooling and reduction of surface albedo, these practices work to mitigate the urban heat island effect, reducing energy use

Reduces Atmospheric CO₂

• Bioretention and infiltration practices reduce carbon dioxide emissions through direct carbon sequestration.
• By reducing the amount of energy needed to treat runoff, as well as reductions in energy use for cooling purposes, bioretention and infiltration practices reduce atmospheric CO2.

Improves Community Livability

• When well-maintained, bioretention and infiltration practices improve local aesthetics and enhance recreational opportunities within communities.
• There is also the potential for these practices to help reduce noise transmission through sound absorption and to improve social networks in neighborhoods.

Improves Habitat

• Bio-retention and infiltration practices provide habitat and increase biodiversity.

Cultivates Public Education Opportunities

• Managing future economic and environmental constraints will require full community participation and partnership. Green infrastructure provides an opportunity to develop community awareness and understanding around the importance of sustainable water resource management.
• Rain gardens and bioswales provide an opportunity for residents to contribute to the benefits of neighborhood place-making via green infrastructure.

In 2006, the WVDEP partnered with several organizations to build a rain garden at the Berkeley County Judicial Complex in Martinsburg, WV. The partners included the City of Martinsburg, Berkeley County Commission, the Berkeley-Jefferson Master Gardeners, Opequon Creek Project Team, and others. Without the commitment and involvement of the partners this project would not have succeeded.

The space for the rain garden was chosen because runoff from the parking lot drained to this corner. And, there was an available storm drain inlet that would receive excessive amounts of water. Five parking spaces were removed to accomodate the rain garden. During construction of the rain garden the Berkeley County Judicial Center was undergoing a major renovation.

Baltimore Street Rain Garden

The Baltimore Street Rain Garden is a project constructed by collaboration between the Opequon Creek Project Team and the City of Martinsburg. In the spring of 2008 the Team installed this rain garden with AGO funding received from WVDEP's Nonpoint Source Program. This project included the production of a video which describes how homeowners can convert such a large garden into a scaled down version for home use and enjoyment. The Master Gardeners, Hedgesville Girl Scout Troop 442 and Faith Christian Academy students have all donated their expertise and labor to this project. The garden is located at the intersection of Baltimore and Randolph Streets in Martinsburg, WV.

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