Rain Gardens & Ponds

Rain gardens (also called bowl gardens) are shallow, constructed depressions planted with deep-rooted native plants & grasses.  They are located to receive runoff from hard surfaces such as a roof via a downspout, a sidewalk, or a driveway.  By holding the runoff it allows the water to infiltrate into the ground.

A rain garden can dramatically improve the quality of water runoff before it reaches the groundwater or watershed.  It also conserves municipal water resources by reducing the need for irrigation.

Rain gardens are a beautiful and colorful way for homeowners, businesses and municipalities to help ease stormwater problems.  There is a growing trend by municipalities and homeowners to incorporate natural processes to help relieve flooding and pollution.

Rain gardens in coastal areas are especially useful in reducing nitrogen (usually greater than 40% reduction) and phosphorus.  Like any other garden, there are fundamentals to maintaining a healthy rain garden

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Retention ponds and bioretention ponds are typically seen with commercial or industrial projects but they have also been successfully used in residential areas too.  These areas, designed to simulate the water filtration capacity of natural wetlands, are often built in conjunction with vegetated swales to help direct the water runoff to specific areas

Bioretention pond outside the US EPA building in RTP, North Carolina.

Retention ponds are also referred to as stormwater wetlands or wet ponds.  The largest distinction of bioretention ponds from rain gardens is that these ponds have standing water all the time whereas rain gardens may enjoy long periods of relatively dry soil.  There are a number of complex variables that must be considered in the design, construction, and maintenance of these systems.

With respect to plants and recommended vegetation, there are several resources available to the homeowner.  Some of these include:

• NC Cooperative Extension

• New Hanover County Cooperative Extension

• National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program

• North Carolina Botanical Gardens

• Natural Resources Conservation Service - Backyard Conservation

• Coastal Plain Conservatory Nursery

• Cure Nursery

• Hoffman Nursery

• Mellow Marsh Farm

• ERNST Conservation Seeds

• Environmental Concern

• Growing Wild Nursery

• Niche Gardens

• Woodlanders Nursery

• Sunlight Gardens

• Mail Order Natives

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Do you want to create a rain garden for your yard but don't know how?  Well, there's help.

Did you know the Brunswick County Soil & Water Conservation District has a program to help individual homeowners and businesses design and construct rain gardens?   

Mamie Caison (mamie.caison@nc.nacdnet.net)

Director, Brunswick Soil & Water Conservation District
10 Referendum Drive
PO Box 26, Bolivia NC 28422
Tel: (910) 253-2830 • Fax: 910-253-2836

 

Coastal Water Watch^© 2010