Rain gardens are depressions planted with native wetland vegetation. Stormwater runoff from rooftops and/or parking lots is directed to the raingarden where it can soak into the ground. Rain gardens can be beautiful additions to a property and help to improve local water quality by keeping stormwater out of area streams.

A rain garden was built at a middle school in the City of Kalamazoo (Axtell Creek Subwatershed of the Kalamazoo River Watershed) in the fall of 2003. It is experiencing its first growing season now.

See a list of plants selected for the middle school project, including bloom times and flower colors (PDF file).

Rain barrels are positioned below downspouts to store stormwater from roof tops. The water can then be used to water gardens and lawns during dry weather. The use of rain barrels also prevents stormwater from entering local water bodies.

Point sources can install raingardens and use rain barrels on their own properties to keep stormwater from flowing into the Kalamazoo River or its tributaries. Alternatively, point sources could sponsor rain garden workshops or donate materials to homeowners and municipalities. Workshop in which rain barrels are constructed and donated could also be held. Point sources with a supply of food-grade plastic 55-gallon drums could donate those barrels to be made into rain barrels.