A rain garden is simply a garden designed to redirect rainwater to low depressions where it can be filtered and absorbed back into the earth.
Redirecting stormwater runoff into these wet gardens protects streams from scouring flows and pollutants while accentuating the beauty and cleansing power of native plants.
Soque River Watershed representatives who will be working directly with the students include Duncan Hughes, Watershed Coordinator, and Justin Ellis, Executive Director.
"The first step is to measure the potential water collection to determine the maximum size of the garden," explained Hughes.
Several of the Rotaract students stretched the measuring tape and calculated the surface area between two of the downspouts on one side of the Bryant Hall dormitory.
Simple measurements and estimations indicate a surprising 800 gallons per one inch of rain. "That's a lot of water!" exclaimed student Ray Chambliss who read the calculator display.
Now that the measurements have been taken, the next step is to design the size and grading for the garden.
"In just a few weeks we'll be able to put shovels in the hands of these students," said Duncan.
The garden will be located in the grassy lawn area on the south side of the dorm and is targeted to be complete in the Spring, 2010.
Materials for the garden will be provided by the Soque River Watershed Association through funding from the 319 grant. The Sunrise Rotary Club of Habersham County is also supporting this effort as a sponsor of the Rotaract Club.
For more information on creating rain gardens or a list of locally available resources, contact the Soque River Watershed Association at 706-754-9382 or e-mail [email protected].
Brenton Bowens (far left) and Robert Knighton (far right) watch Ray Chamblee and Duncan Hughes as they work through the formula for calculating rain runoff.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/11/225088