Rain Gardens and bioswales are some of our most effective tools in implementing sustainable water practices. In the presentation, Barrett will discuss how rain gardens and bioswales protect, restore, and mimic the natural water cycle. Additionally, Tom will explain how rain gardens and bioswales can help develop a natural solution for water efficiency, and relieve storm water management issues. Rain Gardens and bioswales create natural filters through which our rainwater can flow. We are in essence helping to remove the contaminants, while reducing the speed and volume in which the water runs to the storm drains. By choosing to create a rain garden or other environmentally responsible landscape solution, we can reduce the contaminants that collect in the sewer systems, and make a significant improvement for a cleaner and healthier environment.

1. Constructing Rain Gardens & Bioswales By Tom Barrett Green Water Infrastructure, Inc. www.ThinkGWI.com Tom.Barrett@ThinkGWI.com @TomBarrett_GWI Follow us on Twitter @TomBarrett_GWI

2. The GREENEconomy

3. How Much Rain Falls in St. Louis? January - 1.83" February - 1.85" March- 2.88" April- 3.58" May- 4.10" June- 4.72" July - 3.56" August - 3.51" September - 3.17" October - 2.96" November - 2.35" December - 1.85" Total36.36" Image of Rain Falling

4. How Much Water Falls in St. Louis? 2,500 sq. ft. Roof January - 2,852 gallons February - 2,883 March- 4,488 April- 5,579 May- 6,390 June- 7,356 July - 5,548 August - 5,470 September- 4,940 October - 4,613 November - 3,662 December - 2,883 Total 56,664 Image of Rain Falling

5. How Much Water Falls in St. Louis? 3 Acre Commercial Property January - 149,075 gallons February - 150,705 March- 234,611 April- 291,634 May- 333,994 June- 384,501 July - 290,005 August - 285,932 September - 258,235 October - 241,128 November - 191,436 December - 150,705 Total 2,961,961 Image of Rain Falling

6. How Much Water Falls in St. Louis? City Block (5 acres) January - 248,459 gallons February - 251,176 March- 391,018 April- 486,057 May- 556,657 June- 640,834 July - 483,341 August - 476,553 September - 430,391 October - 401,879 November - 319,061 December - 251,176 Total 4,936,602

7. Low Impact Site Development

8. Stormwater Mitigation Stormwater Mitigation Stormwater Mitigation Stormwater Mitigation Stormwater Mitigation

11. Image of Rain Falling

12. Pesticide Issues Atrazine, Nitrogen, Phosphorous

13. Peak Flow(1 Acre Site) cfs – cubic feet per second

14. Peak Flow(1 Acre Site) gps – gallons per second

15. Peak Flow(1 Acre Site) gpm – gallons per minute

16. Peak Flow(2,500 sq. ft. Roof) cfs – cubic feet per second

17. Peak Flow(2,500 sq. ft. Roof) gps – gallons per second

18. Peak Flow(2,500 ft. sq. Roof) gpm – gallons per minute

19. Stormwater Effects of Urbanization

20. Planting Trees

21. Stormwater Mitigation Collection runoff near the source Slow it down Soak it in Filter it Apply it to the landscape Create habitats

22. Rain Garden A Low Spot Catches Stormwater Deep Rooted Plants

23. Simple Rain garden

24. Bioswales Engineered Soils Underdrain

25. Rain Gardens LocationRain gardens are often located at the end of a roof or drain spout. Plant ChoicesChoose plants based on the need for light and soil type. DepthA typical Rain Garden is between four to eight inches deep. SizeA Rain Garden usually five to ten percent of the impervious surface area. SoilA tpical mix is 65% sand, 15% top soil, 25% organic matter.

26. Rain Garden

27. Rain Garden

28. Bioswales Burnsville, Minnesota

29. Native Vegetation www.epa.gov/greenacres/ www.for-wild.org

30. Street Edges & Medians

31. Street Median

32. Parking Lot Edges

33. Parking Lot Islands

34. Driveway Edge

35. Downspout

36. Neighborhoods

37. Meet Stormwater Regulations Detention Volume Fix Drainage Issue Fix Erosion Issue Utility Clearance Soil Investigation Percolation Test Criteria

38. Criteria Near the Rainwater Source Avoid “End-of Pipe” because of Sedimentation Issues Typically 10’ to 20’ from Buildings Distributed Evenly Across the Site Small Tributary Areas (usually 1 acre or less)

40. Soil Compaction Level

42. Key Design Parameter

44. Sizing Runoff Volume = Precipitation x Drainage Area x Runoff Coefficient RV=Pr x D(area) x C(un

45. Depth Based Upon Infiltration Rate Infiltration in One Day Avoid Misquotes Maximum Depth 18” for Safety

46. Surface Area Area of Rain Garden (ft2) = Runoff Capture Volume (ft3) / Average Depth (ft) A=V/D(average)

47. Engineered Soils Bioretention Space Available Volume of Stormwater Drain Faster(the garden can be deeper and not as wide)

48. Plants - Bottom Palm Sedge Soft Rush Tussock Sedge Marsh Milkweed Blue Flag Iris Joe-Pye Weed

49. Plants - Sides Purple Coneflower Showy Goldenrod Smooth Phlox

50. Plants - Edges Butterfly Milkweed Little Bluestem Aromatic Aster

51. Inlets

52. Outlets

53. Curb Cut & Filter Strip Controls Sedimentation

54. Splash Blocks Prevents Erosion and Gullies

60. Functional Landscapes

62. Thank You