Finkman Street Residential Rain Garden

Stormwater Management as Front Yard

Slideshow_01 — A spring rain illustrates the function of the raingarden installation

Slideshow_03 — Native species act as traditional foundation planting as well as hard-working infiltration space

Slideshow_04 — Beautiful blooms thrive in wet and dry conditions

Slideshow_05 — As viewed from the front porch, the area designated as raingarden features aggregate to slow the initial flow and a check dam at the exit point

Slideshow_02 — Sedges and perennials blend as a foreground to the front porch and entryway

Slideshow_06 — In dormant months, texture is added by the stone aggregate

"Into every garden a little rain must fall"

Unknown

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.