Finkman Street Residential Rain Garden
Stormwater Management as Front Yard
"Into every garden a little rain must fall"
Collaborators
Self-Completed
Project Facts
Size:
40 sq ft
Completion:
Spring 2018
Facts:
All newly installed plants are Missouri native species
Consistently drains 3” ponding within 30 minutes to 1 hour
Built in 1927, Gabe’s single-family home featured downspouts that were routed through his limestone foundation and into the combined sewer. As the home settled over time, the clay pipe connecting into the foundation was damaged and leaked into the home’s basement after every storm. In addition, nearby red maple street trees created difficult dry-shade conditions at the front of the home, previously preventing most ornamental foundation plantings.
Approximately 10 feet away from the home, a 40 sq ft rain garden was installed to capture roof runoff. This catchment irrigates the newly installed native plant material, creating a lush and functional front yard appearance while reducing stormwater impact on the public sidewalk. As an added benefit, the residence basement no longer has a leak at the diverted downspout.

The Details
pennsylvania sedge
packera
Iris
Hydrangea
alum root
palm sedge