Capture Rainwater On Site
DIVERTING YOUR DOWNSPOUT AWAY FROM THE STORM DRAIN
Are the downspouts on your home directing rain water runoff down your driveway and into the storm drain on the street? The simple act of redirecting your downspout flow with flexible tubing can help slow the stormwater entering Millers Creek.
A few things to keep in mind... point your downspout onto your lawn or into your garden. Better yet, direct it toward a rain barrel a rain garden or an area landscaped with native plants! Be sure to carefully inspect and work with the direction of the grading on your property to avoid basement seepage and lot- to-lot drainage problems. You do want to keep the water away from your home's foundation.
LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS
Native plants have deep, "thirsty" roots that help capture rainwater on site and filter out pollutants, they create attractive, low-maintenance garden borders around lawns and they help stabilize soils and prevent erosion.
Native plants are easy to grow, require little maintenance and benefit the soil.
Native plants are easy to grow because they are suited to our weather and soil conditions. The resilience of native plants is due in large part to their massive root systems. Because the roots reach deep into the soil - in some cases, as far down as ten feet - the plants can access water even during dry times. Their extensive root systems can also improve your soil. New root growth reduces soil compaction, and the die-off of old roots adds humus and nutrients to the soil.
Native Plants are beautiful.
Using native plants, you can create a stunning garden that blooms all season long. Native plants offer a unique pallet of color, texture and shape, plus a wide variety of heights and sizes.
Helpful Links
Michigan Native Plant Producers Association. Is a group of 10 independently owned nurseries located throughout southern Michigan that grow and sell almost 400 species of Michigan native plants, including, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns.
Native Plant Information Network. This website has lots of information on native plants including a searchable database of 7,009 native plant species, with photos, growing information, and more; a collection of 23,518 native plant images for browsing; an "Ask Mr. Smartly Plants" service for getting answers to specific questions; and numerous "How To" articles.
Natural Area Preservation Division of the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department. Has an informative website and brochures for home landscapers that provide tips and useful information on creating a native plant garden including descriptions of native plants, information about natural habitats, site tolerance, plant height, bloom time, color, and other ornamental features.
Wild Ones. Is a national nonprofit organization, with local chapters, that promotes the use of native plants in private and public landscaping.
Back to topUSING POROUS PAVEMENT
Rain water seeps through the permeable surface then soaks into the ground where it is temporarily held in a layer of fill then infiltrated by the underlying soil. Standard asphalt and concrete are impermeable and cause rainwater to flow down driveways or over sidewalks and streets into the nearest storm drain then on to your local waterway.
You can use permeable pavement at home for your driveway, sidewalk, patio or walkways. Properly installed and maintained, it often has a longer lifespan than regular concrete. Types of permeable pavement include porous asphalt, pervious concrete, permeable paver blocks, reinforced turf or reinforced gravel.
Permeable pavement helps...
- Reduce erosion by moderating the rate and volume of rain water flowing to our waterways through the storm drains.
- Improve water quality by capturing and infiltrating the pollutants found in rain water runoff such as grease, oil, fertilizers and dirt.
- Replenish our ground water.
- Prevent the build-up of ice and snow on driveways and walkways in wintertime.
- Save money over the long run because it lasts longer than impermeable pavement.
- Eliminate the need for "storm water retention ponds" and/or pipes and storm drains in larger commercial applications such as roadways and parking lots.
There are some very specific design, installation and maintenance requirements that can impact the success of your permeable pavement project.
A few things to consider...
- Do the research before you choose permeable pavement.
- Seek out a knowledgeable contractor who has experience with the kind of project you have and type of pavement you want.
Helpful Links
LakeSuperiorStreams: Community Partnerships For Understanding Water Quality and Stormwater Impacts at the Head of the Great Lakes. Has loads of information on tools for stormwater management, including technical background information and references on using pervious pavement.
Washtenaw County Office of the Drain Commissioner. Has posted informative fact sheets on Low Impact Design techniques including one on permeable pavement.
Back to topRAIN BARREL HOW TO AND LINKS
Buy a rain barrel, or two, and use it to capture rainwater that otherwise runs off the hard surfaces on your property. Re-use the water for your yard and garden.
Rain barrels collect rainwater runoff from hard surfaces such as rooftops and pavement and direct it to gardens and lawns. For every one inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect 600 gallons of water using a rain barrel. Most sources estimate that rain barrel efficiency is between 70 and 90 percent.
To maximize rainwater collection, make use of your house, garage, or shed by directing roof top runoff into a rain barrel. The EPA estimates that watering your garden and lawn takes up 40% of your household water during the summer. Save water and money and help Millers Creek by re-using captured rain. Captured rainwater is ideal for plants because of its ambient temperature and because it contains no municipal chemicals.
Places To Buy Rain Barrels
Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Order a rain barrel kit on line or download installation and maintenance instructions.
RainBarrelUSA. Purchase a barrel like the ones HRWC distributed in the fall of 2007 or spring of 2008.
Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Rainscapes. Assembly instructions and a parts list for making your own rain barrel. The parts used are all readily available at most home improvement centers and hardware stores -- except for the barrel. There is a need to locate a free or inexpensive public source for refurbished, food grade barrels. With the instructions above, and a barrel, anyone can assemble a large capacity rain barrel for as little as $15.
Rain Gardens of West Michigan. Also has an informative web page on using rain barrels and downloadable make your own rain barrel instructions.
Use Your Rain Barrel Wisely
Stormwater Rates and Credit System for Rain Barrels from the City of Ann Arbor.
Rain Barrel & Rain Garden Information from the City of Ann Arbor Systems Planning Unit.
Rain Barrel Information from the Ecology Action Center.
Installation Guide from the City of Seattle.
Important Maintenance Components from the Low Impact Design Center, Inc.
Winter Tips & Maintenance Information from the City of Duluth and Lake Superior.
Build Your Own Rain Barrel Instructions from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Back to topUSING RAIN GARDEN TO SLOW THE FLOW OF STORMWATER
Rain gardens are beautiful landscaping features that capture, hold and soak in runoff from storms. They are specifically designed for areas where rain water habitually pools or to which it is deliberately channeled. Their loose, deep soils and deep-rooted native plants absorb water and filter pollutants.
Rain Gardens are low maintenance, drought tolerant and environmentally friendly. They beautify your property and your neighborhood. They help keep water away from your home's foundation. They can be designed as a manicured formal garden or you can create a more natural cottagey look. If you choose, you can choose plants that purposely attract butterflies and other wildlife. And, here in Ann Arbor, you can earn a stormwater rate credit with the installation of a rain garden on your property.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL RESOURCES WE'VE FOUND ON RAIN GARDENS
Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner. Is one of our partners in the Millers Creek Rainwater Project. Its rain garden program offers free design and implementation help to homeowners. Even for the do-it-yourselfer, its website is loaded with good how-to information including lots of photos, site designs and plant lists.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Has a downloadable version of "Landscaping for Water Quality" a 50 page guide for understanding the concepts and applying garden designs for improving Michigan's water quality through landscaping practices. It provides detailed how-to information including site designs and plant lists.
Rain Gardens of West Michigan. Is a program of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its website has details on all the steps to creating a rain garden as well as design examples, installation and maintenance tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
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