A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped depression designed to capture and absorb stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and other hard surfaces. During a rain event, water is directed into the garden where it is temporarily stored and allowed to slowly infiltrate into the soil rather than immediately entering storm drains, streams, or waterways.
Rain gardens provide numerous environmental benefits. They help reduce localized flooding, decrease erosion, recharge groundwater supplies, and improve water quality by filtering out sediment, nutrients, oils, and other pollutants commonly found in stormwater runoff. The deep roots of native plants also improve soil structure and increase the ground’s ability to absorb water over time. Rain gardens are an important form of green infrastructure that can help reduce flooding, filter pollution from runoff, protect water supplies, and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. (Lehigh Valley Greenways)
For communities regulated under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program, rain gardens are an effective stormwater management practice that helps manage runoff at its source. By reducing the volume and velocity of runoff entering the storm sewer system, rain gardens help protect local streams and waterways from pollution while supporting municipal efforts to meet state and federal stormwater management requirements.
Residents may have noticed that Pen Argyl Borough has its own rain garden located at Borough Hall. The Borough Hall rain garden serves as both a functional stormwater management feature and a demonstration project that shows how homeowners and municipalities can use green infrastructure to improve water quality. The project was completed through a partnership involving the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, the Northampton County Conservation District, Penn State Extension, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The rain garden is one of several municipal demonstration rain gardens established throughout the Lehigh Valley to educate the public about practical stormwater management solutions. Additional information and photos of the Pen Argyl Borough rain garden can be found on the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley’s website.
For more information about municipal rain gardens, visit Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley – Municipal Rain Gardens.
Want to learn more about rain gardens or build one on your own property? Penn State Extension offers an excellent guide covering site selection, design considerations, plant selection, installation, and maintenance. More information is available here.
