Rain Garden Photo Gallery
Below are photos of actual projects that have been completed.
Charlevoix Public Library Rain Garden
Groundbreaking - 2006
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The community helped
with installation - 2007 |
Plants starting to
fill out space - 2008 |
Now a lovely spot
to read a book - 2010 |
Visitors of the library
enjoy the rain garden - 2010 |
Ask us how to create a rain garden
for your home or business. |
University of Michigan Biological Station Rain Garden
Installed in 2011
The University of Michigan Biological Station on Douglas Lake teamed up with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to install a demonstration rain garden in front of Gates Lecture Hall. The central rain garden includes a depressed basin area where roof runoff is directed via downspouts. The sandy soils and deep-rooted wetland plants will encourage infiltration of the stormwater. Outside of the basin the landscape includes more transitional and upland plantings, including a mini-dune complex complete with sand-loving species such as common milkweed, sand cherry and little bluestem. all plants used in the project are native to Northern Michigan. in addition to the rain garden and mini-dune, two flagstone areas were added to make the space more user-friendly and inviting. Fieldstone walls and boulder clusters (all constructed from stone found on-site!) help transition between grade changes as well as provide informal seating. The east side of the lecture hall was also transformed and now includes two infiltration basins that collect drainage from a Street, and a third infiltration area that collects roof runoff via an underground downspout connection. Thanks to the UMBS staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this project a success!
Installed in 2011
The University of Michigan Biological Station on Douglas Lake teamed up with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to install a demonstration rain garden in front of Gates Lecture Hall. The central rain garden includes a depressed basin area where roof runoff is directed via downspouts. The sandy soils and deep-rooted wetland plants will encourage infiltration of the stormwater. Outside of the basin the landscape includes more transitional and upland plantings, including a mini-dune complex complete with sand-loving species such as common milkweed, sand cherry and little bluestem. all plants used in the project are native to Northern Michigan. in addition to the rain garden and mini-dune, two flagstone areas were added to make the space more user-friendly and inviting. Fieldstone walls and boulder clusters (all constructed from stone found on-site!) help transition between grade changes as well as provide informal seating. The east side of the lecture hall was also transformed and now includes two infiltration basins that collect drainage from a Street, and a third infiltration area that collects roof runoff via an underground downspout connection. Thanks to the UMBS staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this project a success!
Rain garden installation
(2011) |
One of two flagstone areas installed
(2011) |
Rain garden installation
(2011) |
Rain Garden
(2012) |
Rain Garden
(2012) |
Rain Garden
(2012) |
The Green Dock along the Indian River
Stormwater has long been a problem at the site, especially when heavy rains and snowmelt flow along the road surface and enter the river carrying sediments, nutrients, oils, and other nonpoint source pollutants. Recognizing this problem, representatives from Burt Lake Preservation Association, Tuscarora Township, Indian River Beautification Committee, and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council installed a rain garden to intercept the runoff and encourage infiltration into the soil. Deep-rooting, native plants ‘drink up’ the majority of the runoff and the water entering the river is now cleaner and safer.
Stormwater has long been a problem at the site, especially when heavy rains and snowmelt flow along the road surface and enter the river carrying sediments, nutrients, oils, and other nonpoint source pollutants. Recognizing this problem, representatives from Burt Lake Preservation Association, Tuscarora Township, Indian River Beautification Committee, and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council installed a rain garden to intercept the runoff and encourage infiltration into the soil. Deep-rooting, native plants ‘drink up’ the majority of the runoff and the water entering the river is now cleaner and safer.
Construction of the Green Dock Rain Garden in Indian River. (2011)
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The native plants are taking root.
(2011) 
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Sediment along the rocks at the top of the rain garden is evidence that the rain garden is working according to plan.
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As you can see, the native plants have flourished and filled out the rain garden making it highly productive in fending off nonpoint source pollution from entering Indian River. (2012)
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