Traditional Rain Garden (Bioretention)

Original Install:
???
Designed By:
???
# Redesigns:
1
Most Recent Redesign:
July 2014

Location

Monitored By:
C. Schwartz
Dimensions:
Length: 20 ft
Width: 12 ft
Depth: 18 in

Present (December 2014)

Before

Best Management Practice (BMP) Description: A single retention cell receives stormwater runoff from the upslope access path via a
small drainage flume. Liriope is used to stabilize the soil berms. A mixture of pine straw and oak leaves is used to cover soil within
the retention cell.
Maintenance Plan:
During Storms
Check that stormwater is being diverted to the rain garden from the walking path (water is not bypassing down
the path). If gardens fill completely, check whether overflow is causing scour or erosion.
Following Storms Check that all retained water soaks into the ground within a few days. If the garden fills completely, record the
time it takes for all of the water to soak into the ground. Check for any erosion of the soil berms or drainage
flume into the garden. Remove any branches or obstructions from drainage paths into the garden. Rake
mulch/straw to redistribute across the bottom of the garden and flume.
Quarterly
Inspect the diversion berm in the access path for wear. Remove accumulated sediment and debris from the floor
of the retention cell. Remove weeds. Replace straw/mulch as necessary.
Lessons Learned: Maintaining diversion berms in high traffic areas requires consistent attention.
Web Links: EPA Bioretention Guide: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/upload/2002_06_28_mtb_biortn.pdf
Thanks To: All the volunteers that helped beautify the garden.

History of the Traditional Rain Garden

Why was the area selected & Inverted Landscape Island BMP chosen
The rain garden was originally constructed several years before the start of the Green
Infrastructure Education and Outreach program. The rain garden was in good condition
when the Green Infrastructure program began in 2014.

Original Design: Monitoring Findings

Diversion Berm Deterioration (See #1 in Photo): It was discovered that upslope stormwater
runoff was not being diverted into the rain garden via the drainage flume (#2 in Photo). The
runoff was bypassing the garden via the heavily worn pedestrian path (#3 in Photo) and not
helping alleviate a downstream drainage problem (#4 in Photo).
Garden Berm: Some areas of the rain garden berm had deteriorated.
Tree Roots: The garden is nestled between several large trees whose roots run throughout
the bottom of the garden. The roots are valuable in helping the garden function, but would
need to be protected if any significant digging was planned.
Design 2.0 (July 2014)
Improve the Diversion Berm (Photo #1): The height and width of the diversion berm were
increased slightly to better direct flow toward the rain garden. Care was taken to ensure
that the hump within the pedestrian path was very gentle to avoid creation of a tripping
hazard.
Improve Flume (Photo #2): The flume to the rain garden was widened and deepened
slightly. Care was taken not to over-excavate the flume and damage the root systems of the
surrounding trees. The sides of the flume were stabilized with liriope and the bottom with
pine straw.
Restore Garden Berm: Compacted soil was added to low areas of the garden berm to create
a more even berm elevation around the garden perimeter. Liriope was planted along areas
of exposed dirt to stabilize the soils.
Potential Future Changes - [needs to make it happen]
Diversify Plantings (switch to native plants) [need funds/plants]