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.