Residential Landowners

Urban and residential areas offer a unique conservation challenge. Rainwater that once was able to soak into the ground in a forest or on the prairie now hits hard surfaces such as pavement, rooftops, and compacted soils and runs off the land as stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff often flows over these hard surfaces and directly into a nearby lake, river, or storm drain. Along the way, the rain picks up pollutants such as fertilizer, sediment, pet waste, and chemicals from vehicles. These pollutants harm the health of lakes and rivers, as well as the plants and animals that rely on clean water to survive. Reduced water health can also impact lakeshore values, recreational opportunities, fishing, and aesthetics. The best way to keep our waters clean is by making sure that the stormwater running into them is clean.

What can you do to reduce stormwater runoff?

As a homeowner, you can help avoid the problems associated with stormwater runoff by:

• Reducing impervious areas (i.e. hard surfaces such as sidewalks, roads, patios, etc) so that rain soaks into the ground.
• Planting native trees and plants. They help infiltrate stormwater and increase evapotranspiration.
• Manage your own stormwater using rain gardens, rain barrels, and other similar practices.

The SWCD may be able to provide technical assistance to make recommendations for or to design a project to reduce rainwater runoff from your property.  We may also have funding available to assist with the costs of installing a project.

Rain Gardens:  You can do it!  A rain garden is simply a garden that is placed in a shallow depression in the ground and planted with native plants that like to get their feet wet.  The depression collects and allows stormwater runoff to slowly infiltrate into the soil (they mimic what rain did before humans changed the landscape).  Native plants, mulch and soil in the rain garden naturally remove pollutants contained in the stormwater.

Where to put your rain garden

• Near a downspout
• Near a driveway, road, or sidewalk
• At the base of a slope

Benefits of a Rain Garden

• Insects, birds, and other wildlife will feed, rest, or live in the garden (think pollinators!).
• Drought resistant plants will look great all summer long, even when turfgrass is dormant from lack of water.
• There is no need to fertilize native plants because they are adapted to our conditions.
• Filter water to remove sediment and pollutants.
• Allow water to soak into the ground and recharge groundwater. 
• Where there is a garden, there is no mowing!

Helpful Resources for Rain Garden Information

Blue Thumb makes it easy for you to plan and plant rain gardens!  http://www.blue-thumb.org/

University of Wisconsin Extension Rain Garden How-to Manual for Homeowners: http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/rgmanual.pdf

Rain Barrels are another way to use rainfall in your yard

A rain barrel is any type of container that collects and stores rain water from your roof that would otherwise run off into storm drains that flow directly into nearby lakes, streams and wetlands.  Rain barrels typically hold 50 to 100 gallons of water than can be used on your lawn or flower garden.  Rain barrels reduce the amount of stormwater runoff by collecting roof runoff and storing the rain water for future use.

Rain barrels are placed underneath shortened downspouts; thus, they divert roof runoff into the barrel. Water collected in the rain barrel can be used to water lawns and flower gardens.

Benefits of a rain barrel:

• They provide an alternative to tap water for watering lawns and flower gardens, reducing stress on limited groundwater resources. 
• Reduce runoff that can carry pollutants into lakes and rivers.
• They will help reduce peak water demands during the summer months.

Many major retailers sell rain barrels. Sometimes, neighboring county SWCD's have them available for purchase. 

You can also make your own, find out how by clicking here

Other Best Management Practices for Stormwater Infiltration:
https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=BMPs_for_stormwater_infiltration