What is a Rain Garden

Rain gardens are a simple, yet effective way to filter excess pollutants from storm water before it flows into storm sewers and into our creeks and rivers. Rain gardens also promote infiltration of rain water into the ground thus increasing local ground water supply and reducing the amount of water that needs to be carried by our storm sewers.

Rain Gardens are shallow depressions planted with native perennial species of flowers and shrubs -- they often resemble a beautiful flower garden. Rain water run-off from a rooftop or driveway is diverted into the garden to clean and retain some of the water.

Rain gardens can also be turned into a hub for wildlife. Find out how:
National Wildlife Federation
Monarch Watch

Want to know more?
Click here for a how to guide to Rain Gardens

Check out Kansas City's "10,000 Rain Gardens"

Additional Resources:

"Guidelines for Utilizing Rain Gardens as a Stormwater Management Tool" by OSU - Extension and Metropolitan Sewer District