Andrea Berry
Shiawassee Conservation District
In cooperation with Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Conservation Districts, MSU
Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, AmeriCorps National Service

Program Objectives :
 Reduce risks of groundwater contamination
 Target contaminants: Pesticides and Nitrogen Fertilizers
 Help residential and agricultural clients reduce their risks
 Address other water quality contamination risks

What is a Watershed?
We all live in a watershed -- the area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, estuary, wetland, or ultimately the ocean -- and our individual actions can directly affect it. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries. No matter where you are, you're in a watershed.

Great Lakes Watersheds

Point Vs. Non-Point Pollution
 Point pollution in water comes from a single source
 ex: factory waste
 Non-point pollution does
NOT originate from a single source
 ex: polluted runoff

Stormwater Runoff
•Following a precipitation event stormwater runs off roofs, driveways, yards and roads.
•Pipes and ditches carry this water away to ditches, which then goes into local streams, rivers and lakes.
•Unlike sewage, storm runoff is not treated.
•As it flows, pollution such as oil, dirt, deicing chemicals, excess lawn fertilizers and trash are carried into our waterways.

Problems with Fertilizers in Runoff
 Nitrogen and Phosphorous fertilizers affect water quality
 Nitrogen causes overgrowth of plants
 Phosphorous causes algal blooms
 Clog waterways, reduce free oxygen, change aquatic ecosystems, ultimately
DECREASING WATER QUALITY

What is a Rain Garden?
 A shallow depression
 Planted with deep-rooted native plants
 Located to receive runoff from hard surfaces
 Slows the rush of water from hard surfaces
 Reduces pollution from runoff
Painted by Michigan artist Ruth
Zachary

Benefits of Rain Gardens
 Attractive
 Minimal maintenance
 Filters polluted runoff
 Reduces flooding
 Reduces pests
 Adds beneficial insects
 Attracts native birds and butterflies

Steps for Building a Rain Garden
1. Find a location
• At least 10 feet from your home*
• Water should infiltrate in less than 2 days
• NOT over a Septic Field
• As level a surface as possible
• Have your soil tested!
• In clays, add sand or gravel

Building a Rain Garden, cont.
2. Measure the drainage area
• Not necessary if you choose a low spot
• If not, measure runoff area: length x width of roof = square footage of drainage area multiply sq ft of drainage area by soil type figure sand=20%, loam=30-35%, clay=45-60%

An Example of Drainage Area
Example:
A roof is 10’ x 10’ = 100sqft
The soil is loamy so
100sqft x 30% (locm)= 30sqft
The garden should be in dimensions of 5’ x 6’ or
3’ x 10’ for best drainage

Building a Rain Garden, cont.
3. Create a design
• Layout on paper
• Keep it simple!
4. Choose your plants
• Native plants already adapted to EUP
• Select to bloom year round!
Native wildflower lists and dealers: www.wildflowersmich.org
www.chicago.wilderness.org/wildchi/la ndscape/index.cfm
www.raingardens.org
Michigan Native Plants List especially for rain gardens

Rain Garden Plants
Categories of Plants:
Native Trees
Native Shrubs
Grasses & Sedges
Wildflowers
Invasive – species to
AVOID!
Remember to Consider:
Wet to Moist Conditions
Moist to Dry Conditions

Building a Rain Garden, cont.
5. Layout the design on the ground
• Know your soil type
• Contact MISSDIG for utility lines first
• 1-800-482-7171
6. Get ready to dig!
• 5-7 inches deep
• Slope edges slightly
• Level bottom

Building a Rain Garden, cont.
7. Prepare the soil
• For clay soils add sand or gravel to improve drainage
8. Now the fun part – Planting!
• Plant 1 to 2 feet apart
• Native deep-rooted perennials, annuals, shrubs
• Trees are not recommended*

Building a Rain Garden, cont.
7. Mulch will help keep moisture in & weeds
OUT!
8. Water and arrange Downspouts
• Water every other day for the first months
• Downspouts with a 1-2’ grass buffer

Mosquitoes?
NO PROBLEM!
 Require 10-14 days to develop fully
 Rain gardens infiltrate water in 24 hours or less
 RG’s attract dragonflies, which feast on mosquitoes!

Some Examples
Source www.raingardennetwork.com

Grand Rapids, MI
Source: Rain Gardens of Western Michigan

Marywood Prairie, Grand Rapids, MI
Before After
Source: www.raingarden.org
Rain Gardens of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids, MI
Source: Rain Gardens of Western Michigan

Kentwood, MI
Before
Source: Rain Gardens of Western Michigan

Kentwood, MI
After
Front yard
Source: Rain Gardens of Western Michigan
Back yard

Cedarville School Rain Garden
Project

Cedarville School Rain Garden
Project

Cedarville School Rain Garden
Project

Cedarville School Rain Garden
Project

Cedarville School Rain Garden
Project

Sault Ste. Marie Rain Garden
 Keep the St. Mary’s River CLEAN!!
 Volunteer hours for Master Gardeners
 Site to be determined
 Possibly Sault Middle/High School
 Downtown
 LSSU
 Any suggestions?
Source: www.saultstemarie.com

Credits
Rain Gardens: A how-to manual for homeowners www.raingardens.org
www.raingardennetwork.com
www.ga.water.usgs.gov
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Prepared by Andrea Berry,
Shiawassee Conservation District andrea.berry@mi.nacdnet.net