Rain Gardens

Rain Garden Details
Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with native plants designed to catch stormwater runoff from roof gutters, streets, parking lots or other areas. Rain gardens are being widely implemented across the country to manage stormwater, utilizing it as a resource rather than channeling it to storm drains which lead directly to area creeks, rivers and lakes. Managing stormwater onsite with rain gardens reduces downstream erosion, flooding, and pollution and recharges the groundwater aquifer.
Rain Garden

Rain Garden Plants

Native plants are recommended because their deep roots help water to soak in and they are able to tolerate both short periods of standing water and drought conditions. Native plants also don't need to be fertilized. For information on native plants, visit Grow Native!

Rain Gardens & Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes need at least a week of standing water to complete their life cycle from egg to adult. Poorly maintained birdbaths and gutters are more likely than rain gardens to serve as mosquito breeding grounds.

Planting Personal Rain Gardens

Check out the following rain garden design and construction guide (PDF).


Local Rain Garden Projects

  • Campbell Streetscape - 500 block S. Campbell Ave
  • Watershed Center - 2400 E. Valley Water Mill Rd
  • Route 66 Roadside Park - 1201 W. College St
  • City Utilities Transit Center - 211 N. Main Ave
  • Government Plaza Parking Lot - 840 N. Boonville Ave