Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a landscaped area planted with wild flowers and other native vegetation designed to soak up rainwater that drains off the roofs of buildings. The rain garden fills with a few inches of water after a storm and the water slowly filters into the ground rather than running off to a storm drain. Rainwater, generally referred to as stormwater, that enters the storm drain may carry pollutants directly into the nearest river or lake untreated. Rain gardens filter out these pollutants before they contaminate our rivers, lakes or wetlands.

By installing rain gardens we are creating shallow depressions that act like natural sponges, collecting the polluted runoff water from impermeable surfaces, and slowly filtering it into the ground where it is cooled, filtered, and slowly allowed to move underground toward the river or stream. This results in more normal stream temperatures, less polluted streams, more consistent flow levels, and reduced flooding. They are one of the most frequently cited and promising strategies for managing stormwater responsibly, especially in an urban setting. Besides the benefits to water quality and fish habitat, rain gardens provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, such as mosquito-devouring dragonflies! Rain gardens do not hold water long enough for mosquitoes to reproduce.
If you would like to see a rain garden in Reedsburg, stop by the Westside Elementary School located at 420 Plum Street. Here the rain garden provides outdoor educational opportunities for students and the community. It is also provides a chance to discuss stormwater and nonpoint-source pollution and to view wildlife.

For a Rain Garden Manual, check out the available book in the link below.  To learn more about rain gardens, contact Serge Koenig at the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department at 355-3245.

If you would like to see a rain garden in the Sauk-Prairie area, stop by the St. John’s Lutheran Church located at 100 Oak Street in Prairie du Sac.

If you would like to see a rain garden in Reedsburg, stop by the Westside Elementary School located at 420 Plum Street. Here the rain garden provides outdoor educational opportunities for students and the community.

If you would like to see some rain gardens in Baraboo, stop by the First United Methodist Church, the Baraboo Public Library, Baraboo High School or East Elementary School.