Rain Gardens

What is a Rain Garden?

Rain gardens are landscaped areas planted with wild flowers and other native vegetation that soak up rain water from the roof of a house or other building. After a storm, the rain garden fills up with a few inches of water and slowly infiltrates into the soil. This reduces the amount of water running off the ground and into a storm drain. A rain garden allows about 30% more water to soak into the ground than a conventional lawn.

Why are Rain Gardens Important?

  • Increases infiltration into ground which recharges aquifers.
  • Helps protect communities from flooding and drainage problems.
  • Helps protect lakes and rivers from pollutants carried off urban stormwater.
  • Enhances the beauty of yards and neighborhoods.
  • Provides habitat for birds and butterflies.

Rain Garden Demonstration Project

Several county departments and local groups have worked together to design and construct a rain garden on the Winnebago County Fairgrounds.  The purpose of the project is to create a rain garden that can be used as an educational tool to promote their use by citizen's throughout the county.

The following agencies or groups participated in this project:

  • University of Wisconsin Extension
  • Winnebago County Land & Water Conservation Department
  • Winnebago County Parks Department
  • Master Gardeners
  • Marshland Transplant Aquatic Nursery

More Information

For more information on Rain Gardens, please visit their website.