Rain Gardens and Bioswales

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    Rain Gardens and Bioswales


    flowershowerWHAT ARE RAIN GARDENS?

    Rain gardens are small vegetated basins or depressions which capture and absorb runoff from roofs and sidewalks. By allowing water to infiltrate through the soil, they help treat pollution and recharge groundwater. If you use water-wise plants native to our area, they may even be self-sustaining as the plants will be watered by the captured runoff.



    WHAT ARE BIOSWALES?

    Similar to rain gardens, bioswales are planted or mulched channels which slow water flow down and allow it to infiltrate into the soil. They are particularly useful along streets or in parking lots where they can redirect water from the curbside. When native water-wise plants are used, they may even self-sustain vegetation, reducing watering costs.

    NRCS Bioswale Fact Sheet (pdf)