Rain Gardens
Photo provided by Paul Skawinski
Description of Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deeply rooted native plants and grasses. By design rain gardens temporarily slow the flow of water movement during and after a rain event. This gives the water time to infiltrate into the soil rather than running off. Rain gardens also allow the native plants the ability to absorb extra water and nutrients preventing contaminates from entering nearby water bodies. Rain gardens should be positioned near a runoff source like a driveway or downspout to capture rain events to be most effective and efficient on your property.
Why Plant a Rain Garden?
By planting a rain garden on your property, you are protecting local water bodies from pollutants, assist in replenishing the groundwater aquifer, providing a pollinator waystation and enhancing your properties aesthetic value. Rain and melting snow will quickly run off roofs, driveways, and lawns and can carry with it harmful pollutants like oil, salt, fertilizer, pesticides, pet waste, transportation chemicals, and sediment. By planting rain gardens, you are taking a proactive approach, which is much more cost effective than trying to remove the above listed pollutants from local water bodies.
Image from Friends of Bolin Creek, bolincreek.org
Grant Funding is available
Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division plans to apply for the WI DNR, Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grants annually. This grant provides up to $1,000 per Best Practice and up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant (Portage County) applying on behalf of multiple property owners. Grant applications are due in November with Best Practices installed the following year, if the grant is approved. Rain gardens are one of the selected Best Practices contained in this specific grant. More information provided under “Resources” below.
Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division plans to apply for the WI DNR, Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grants annually. This grant provides up to $1,000 per Best Practice and up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant (Portage County) applying on behalf of multiple property owners. Grant applications are due in November with Best Practices installed the following year, if the grant is approved. Rain gardens are one of the selected Best Practices contained in this specific grant. More information provided under “Resources” below.
Grant Received in 2021 - 2022 Planning
Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division DID receive the Healthy Lakes and Rivers grant for 2021, so Lake Helen will have two 350 sq ft. native plantings going in this year.
If you are interested in protecting your property and Lake Helen’s water quality through a Healthy Lakes and Rivers project for next year, please contact Tracy Arnold this summer to get plans in motion. Pre-application for 2022 projects are due September 1, 2021. You can email Tracy Arnold at [email protected]
Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division DID receive the Healthy Lakes and Rivers grant for 2021, so Lake Helen will have two 350 sq ft. native plantings going in this year.
If you are interested in protecting your property and Lake Helen’s water quality through a Healthy Lakes and Rivers project for next year, please contact Tracy Arnold this summer to get plans in motion. Pre-application for 2022 projects are due September 1, 2021. You can email Tracy Arnold at [email protected]
Resources (click on each site below for more information):
- www.healthylakeswi.com/best-practices/#rain
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, a guide for homeowners from WI WDNR from 2018, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
- www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/shorelandzoning/documents/rgmanual.pdf
*How-to Manual for Homeowners from WI DNR 2003
- www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Pages/ecology/shoreland/raingardens.aspx
*brochures, PowerPoints, list of native species, articles
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, a guide for homeowners from WI WDNR from 2018, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
- www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/shorelandzoning/documents/rgmanual.pdf
*How-to Manual for Homeowners from WI DNR 2003
- www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Pages/ecology/shoreland/raingardens.aspx
*brochures, PowerPoints, list of native species, articles