Rain Gardens

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One method to help keep our ponds, lakes, and rivers clean is to encourage the water to soak into the ground on our property. There is help available so that you can do your part. Typical Best Management Practices include:

  • Raingardens
  • Stabilizing shorelines with native plants
  • Restoring wetlands
  • Controlling erosion or soaking in storm water runoff with pervious or porous pavers.
To learn more about these practices, visit the Rice Creek Watershed District's Blue Thumb-Planting for Clean Water website.

WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?

A rain garden, or rainwater garden, is a shallow depression that collects rain water and allows it to infiltrate. It’s planted with plants that can tolerate a wide range of soil moisture. A rain garden can mimic the natural absorption and pollutant removal activities of a forest, or a meadow or or a prairie and can absorb runoff more efficiently, sometimes as much as 30% - 40% more then a standard lawn.

Many residents and business owners are choosing to incorporate rain gardens into their yards and property. Rain Gardens are aesthetically pleasing and provide several benefits to our environment. Installing a rain garden is an easy and cost efficient method of reducing stormwater pollution.

Please keep in mind that much of Richfield is within a wellhead protection area; this means any water that falls onto our yards and parks eventually ends up in groundwater and our drinking water supply. State regulations restrict infiltrating stormwater in areas where groundwater is considered vulnerable. If you are interested in installing a rain garden, contact the City water resources engineer at moddsson@richfieldmn.gov or 612-861-9797 to see if infiltration is restricted in your area. 

Create your own raingarden! Matching funds are available through grants with: Minnehaha Creek WatershedNine Mile Creek Watershed, and Blue Thumb.