MANAGING STORMWATER
            Adequate snowfall through the winter this year recharged our groundwater supply. Now we are looking forward to adequate spring rains to keep us supplied with water for the upcoming growing season. Heavy rains are bothersome and we often avoid them by staying inside.
            Getting outside right after a downpour will allow you to observe how stormwater runs off over the surface without soaking into the ground. Besides making plans to keep the water out of your house, you can make plans around your house and yard to keep the water where it can benefit your yard and garden. Rain barrels are available from the Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District. Substituting native prairie grasses with their deep roots for lawn grasses in areas where water runs off are two options for saving the rain for your own trees, yard, and garden.
Rural and urban landowners can also make a rain garden that will improve water quality and make better use of rainfall. Compared to a patch of conventional lawn, a rain garden allows about 30 percent more water to soak into the ground.
            Included in the benefits are: increasing the amount of water filtering into the ground, recharging groundwater and keeping pollutants from washing off into streams and lakes; providing valuable wildlife habitat including food and shelter for birds; enhancing the beauty of your yard; protecting streams and lakes from erosion of stream banks and lakeshores; and helping to protect from flooding and drainage problems.
            How can you make a rain garden? Find a location for the rain garden at least ten feet from the house where it can receive roof water or driveway runoff, or intercept a natural waterway. Make a depression two to six inches deep with a level bottom The middle of the rain garden will hold water during a rain event, so the runoff can gradually soak into the ground. To prevent insect breeding, the water should not stand for more than four days. Determine the normal drainage pattern originally designed for your lot so that any overflow during heavy rains follows this path. Finally, plant the rain garden with perennial native species including flowers. Avoid cattails that can take over. Then give it time to grow. Weeds have a hard time growing in a mature rain garden. Old stalks can be cut back or mowed in the spring to give the new growth a good start.
            Some work is required to get the rain garden started but once it is established, it pretty much takes care of itself. You can sit back and enjoy the garden and the environmental benefits.
            More information is available from the Master Gardeners Desk at UI-Extension in Stephenson County, 235-4125; or by searching the Internet for “rain garden”.

Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 14/13/11 (for publication on 04/16/11 in the Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org