Stormwater Management Practices
Stormwater Stars
Native Plants
Plants and animals live together in interdependent communities. Promoting the use of plants indigenous to the ecological area where we live ensures continued pollination by the insects that depend on them and continued relationships with other animals who use these plants as food and shelter. Native plants are adapted to our climate and conditions, requiring less watering, fertilizer and pesticides.
Stormwater Benefits
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Improves water filtration
Plant roots take up water and help create conditions in the soil that promote infiltrationInfiltration Water absorbs into the ground instead of running over the surface
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Erosion Reduction
Native plants have deep root systems that work together improving the stability of the soil and reducing the potential for erosion. In addition, leaf canopies provide a surface for rainwater to collect and evaporate.
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Improve water quality
Native plants can filter sediments and pollutants from runoff before the water enters streams. Native plants also reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides
When Is this Practice Used?
Native plants can be incorporated into any landscaping space.
Other benefits
- Reduced need for irrigation - once established Native Plants are adapted to our local climate with minimal irrigation
- Habitat - native plants provide habitat and food for our native birds, pollinators and other wildlife
- Saves time - reduces maintenance needs
Restoring & Amending Soil
Soil restoration and amendment with compost is a practice for enhancing and preserving the permeability of soils. Soil can be amended by adding compost or mulch on top of the soil. Soil restoration is done by tilling compost into the existing soil (add 3" compost and till 8" deep into the existing soil). Soil restoration usually only has to be done once, to convert compacted soil into useable planting area.
Stormwater Benefits
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Improves water filtration
Amended soil can aid in absorbing rainwater, acting like a sponge in the ground.
When Is this Practice Used?
When converting compacted soil into useable planting area.
Other benefits
- Healthier plants - amended, less-compacted soils allow for deeper root growth, resulting in healthier plants.
Lawn Replacement
Lawn replacement involves converting all or part of your grass lawn to a naturescape with native plants. Native plants can include trees, shrubs, grasses and/or wildflowers.
Stormwater Benefits
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Improves water filtration
Soils in lawn areas tend to be more compacted than other landscaped areas. Replacing lawns improves the ability for rainwater to soak into the ground, in turn reducing stormwater runoff.
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Erosion Reduction
Replacing lawns with a mixture of native plants with deep root systems that work together improves the stability of the soil and reduces the potential for erosion.
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Reduces pollutants flowing into waterways
By removing grass lawn, your yard needs less herbicide and fertilizer inputs, resulting in less runoff. The same goes for any gasoline spillage that may happen when filling gas-powered lawnmowers at home.
When Is this Practice Used?
In any lawn space where the property owner would like to replace or reduce an existing lawn area.
Other benefits
- Reduced need for irrigation - lawns require regular watering, but once established, native plants are adapted to our local climate with minimal irrigation.
- Habitat - native plants provide habitat and food for our native birds, pollinators and other wildlife
- Saves time - reduces needs for regular mowing and other lawn care.
- Pollution reduction - reduces the need for air- and noise-polluting mowers and leaf-blowers.
Depaving
Depaving (removing unnecessary pavement) can be a big help when managing stormwater. Impervious hardscapes prevent water from infiltrating into the soil. By reducing pavement, we can reduce stormwater runoff.
Stormwater Benefits
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Improves water infiltration
Depaving allows rainwater to soak into the ground, rather than becoming stormwater runoff
When Is this Practice Used?
Where a paved area is unnecessary and removing it would not cause any negative impacts.
Other benefits
- Increases greenspace
- Pavement stores heat- by removing paved area, you can help reduce the heat island effectHeat island effect Urban areas with fewer trees and more pavement that experience higher temperatures than rural or suburban areas, which typically have more trees and green space and less paved surfaces that hold heat..
Porous Pathways
Porous pathways are pathways made of material that allow rainwater to flow through to the soil rather than becoming stormwater runoff. Porous pathways can be created with a variety of different types of materials such as gravel, wood chips or porous pavers.
Stormwater Benefits
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Improves water infiltration
Porous pathways allow rainwater to soak into the ground, rather than becoming stormwater runoff
When Is this Practice Used?
In areas of your yard where the soil will allow rainwater to infiltrate or where designated pathways to access spaces are desired.
Other benefits
- Defines outdoor spaces by visually dividing different areas.
- Guides movement through landscaped spaces just like a paved path would.
Contained Planters
By placing a container planter on an area on an impervious you can reduce stormwater runoff as well as beautifying the landscape.
Stormwater Benefits
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Reduces stormwater runoff
Rainwater is stored in the planting container rather than immediately becoming stormwater runoff from the impervious surface below it. Using planters can reduce annual runoff by 40% to 60% from areas on which they are placed.
When Is this Practice Used?
Where you have impervious surfaces (pavement, patio, paved walkways) that cannot be removed, but you would like to add plants.
Other benefits
- Good for urban residents & renters -Allows for green spaces in heavily paved areas or poor soil conditions
- More accessible - gardening surface is raised off the ground, which is beneficial for those with limited mobility
- Reduces heat island effect by bringing plants to urban areas and paved surfaces
We provide guidance and resources for rainwater and stormwater management.
Rachel Dvorsky
Stormwater Specialist
Contact me about:
Stormwater Stars workshops, urban stormwater runoff