STORMWATER AND RAin Gardens
Ohio River watershed - flooding and water quality
Flooding has become an annual dilemna for communities. As we continue to develop and grow our land mass is becoming more impervious to rain. The result is more frequent flooding with costly and sometimes disastrous consequences. Reducing the volume of water coming off impervious surfaces or capturing and filtering it are of paramount importance.
Significant improvements in water quality have been achieved in the Ohio River watershed due primarily to passage and enforcement of the Clean Water Act (CWA), since its passage in 1972. However, threats continue from stormwater runoff, agricultural runoff, mercury deposition from coal-fired plants, and millions of gallons of untreated sewage that flow into the river each year from sewer overflows. At ORF we are working hard by calling for stronger enforcement of the CWA, and developing and promoting strategies that can reduce pollution of the Ohio River.
Stormwater - precursor to flooding and a threat to water quality
Runoff from streets and lawns, and other impervious surfaces, carries fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides, and oil products to storm sewers and into rivers and streams. USEPA studies show that more than 50% of stream and river pollution is the result of stormwater. So, every drop of rain that you can keep on your property helps to keep our river and streams, and thus, the Ohio River (source of drinking water to millions of people) less polluted.
A beautiful solution to a serious problem
Communities throughout the Ohio River watershed are searching for ways to confront the growing problems created by stormwater. Flooding and deraded water quality are the chief threats posed by this source of non-point pollution. A few communities in Kansas City, Minnesota, and Michigan are attacking this problem head-on with an innovative approach: rain gardens. For the Ohio River watershed, ORF is now finding partners to bring this important development tool to local communities in the fight to control stormwater and improve water quality.
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is an attractive landscaping feature planted with native plants, that is designed to capture, slow, and filter rain or stormwater. It is designed to drain water within a day, so mosquito eggs do not survive since they require 48 hours to grow into larvae. Furthermore, native plants are typically drought-resistent, accustomed to area soils, and provide needed habitat for butterflies and birds.
The Ohio River Watershed Rain Garden Collaborative
To be effective in addressing this monumental problem it is necessary for ORF to promote the construction of rain gardens and help facilitate their construction. To do so, ORF is inviting members of the non-profit, business, and government communities to partner with it to bring these solutions to the watershed.
Program development partners and advisers include:
Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Mill Creek Council of Communities
Nothern Kentucky Sanitation District No. 1
Ready to make a rain garden?
We are in the process of developing local information that will be posted on this website. Until then, good sources of information are www.raingardens.org, 10,000 rain gardens, www.raingardennetwork.com, and maplewood raingardens.
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