#raingardennetwork

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Green stormwater control measures clean up urban streams

by American Geophysical Union

Catching urban runoff in raingardens and rainwater capture tanks improves the water quality of nearby streams and rivers and lowers water temperatures that have risen in the region due to climate change and the urban heat island effect, according to a new report spanning two decades in the greater Melbourne metropolitan area of Australia.

Raingardens and rainwater tanks were able to restore degraded streams by filtering and cooling runoff before it entered the waterway, according to the study in Water Resources Research. Green stormwater infrastructure reduced the steams' peak summer temperatures by about 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit), effectively counteracting the regional warming.

These catchment systems also filtered runoff from human activities, such as car washing, spilled gasoline, sewage, fertilization and irrigation, and prevented excess nutrients from entering the stream ecosystems.

The study, one of the longest and largest to be completed on green stormwater control measures, found that raingardens and rainwater capture tanks were effective at reducing water temperatures and pollution in nearby streams at least 90% of the year.

Reducing heat and pollution

Green stormwater control measures come in many forms and are designed in accordance with the unique layout of each urban area. This study had two designs: raingardens and rainwater capture tanks strategically placed in locations where runoff from roofs and roads could be intercepted.

Raingardens were constructed and filled with high-filtration soils to remove pollutants before municipal runoff flowed into nearby streams. Rainwater capture tanks reduced total runoff and often directed water into neighboring raingardens for filtering before flowing into the streams.

Unlike roofs and roads, soils are porous and are filled with air pockets that can hold water. According to Walsh, on average, only about 10% of the rainwater that landed on soils in the study region flowed into nearby waterways. Soils absorb and distribute most of the water to trees and vegetation. The water that isn't taken up by plants is filtered and cooled as it slowly flows through the ground towards the stream.

When water temperatures and nutrients are higher than what is typical of a healthy stream, ecosystems can degrade as plants and animals are not adapted to the changing conditions. Excess algal growth and decreased oxygen levels are just two of the potential effects of abnormally warm and nutrient-flooded streams. When left unchecked, these conditions can be fatal for life that depends on the stream for survival. Fishing and recreational activities are popular at the streams examined in the study, and maintaining a healthy stream ecosystem is central to carrying on with these pursuits, Walsh said.

The future of green stormwater control infrastructure

Green stormwater control measures can improve the health of aquatic ecosystems that we depend on.

Source: https://phys.org/news/2022-11-green-stormwater-urban-streams.html

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Winter Watershed Events 2022

HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL

Virtual Master Rain Gardener Training

This March, design your own home rain garden with support from southeast Michigan’s top rain garden design educators, including HRWC!

This weekly virtual course includes presentations on how to create a rain garden, lists of native plants that will help you select suitable matches for the conditions of your lawn, one-on-one feedback from expert instructors, small group breakout Q&A sessions, as well as inspiring in-person rain garden tours across southeast Michigan.

Thursdays, March 3-April 7 (5 weeks) 10am-Noon

Cost: $145 (scholarships available)

Virtual live classroom with in-person tours

REGISTER by February 28 at TheRouge.org/mrg.

Hosted by the Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Detroit River, Friends of the Rouge, Huron River Watershed Council, River Raisin Watershed Council, and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.

Sponsored by Pure Oakland Water and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.

Volunteer for Chemistry and Flow Monitoring

Help HRWC measure the quality of local rivers and streams this spring and summer!

Collect water samples, measure stream flow and sample runoff from rain storms at stream sites in Washtenaw, Livingston or Wayne counties. Commitment is two or more hours per month, April through September, depending on availability and interest.

ATTEND a Virtual Chemistry and Flow Monitoring Orientation

Saturday, March 19, 1-2:30pm

Additional hands-on training will occur in the field during the first week of sampling.

We have a strong need for volunteers to work downriver.

REGISTER at HRWC.org/volunteer/water-sampling.

Resilient Washtenaw Community Listening Sessions

Help Washtenaw County create an equitable and collaborative vision for carbon neutrality by 2035!

Get email updates, share ideas, map the areas where you experience climate impacts, get involved at the local level.

Share your vision at virtual community listening sessions (by district) on February 3, 8, 9, 15 and 17.

Your opinion matters!

FOR MORE INFORMATION go to ResilientWashtenaw.org

Quiet Adventure Symposium

Ready to start planning your next outdoor adventure? Learn about paddling, hiking, backpacking, biking, and canoeing from some of the best adventure experts out there!

The 27th Annual Quiet Adventures Symposium will be a mix of virtual and on-demand presentations. The virtual event will take place on Tuesday, March 1, 7-9:30pm.

For $10, registered attendees will get a great live hosted night of presentations and have access to over 20 on-demand presentations.

REGISTER at QuietWaterSociety.org.

Fly Fishing Film Tour

Saturday, March 5, 6pm, Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor.

The tour is back thanks to our long-time partners Schultz Outfitters, with a selection of films that are sure to get all local anglers dreaming about fishing the Huron River! From Costa Rica to Australia to Louisiana and beyond, catch the action and amazing stories of anglers from across the globe. HRWC will be there with information about our programs and how you can join us in protecting our home river.

GET TICKETS at FlyFilmTour.com.

Take Action in February!

Catch the Plastic!

Keep microplastic fibers out of our rivers and streams. Shed by synthetic clothes and textiles during laundering, these tiny fibers are not filtered out by the wastewater treatment process.

Washing machine filters and special laundry devices can help. And if you buy a new washing machine, choose a front loader.

LEARN MORE atHRWC.org/microplastics.

FRIENDS OF THE ROUGE/CLINTON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL

Become a Master Rain Gardener

This winter, design your own home rain garden with support from southeast Michigan’s top rain garden design educators! Apply now for the Winter 2022 Master Rain Gardener Training Program, taking place Thursday mornings in March.

This virtual course includes one-on-one feedback from expert instructors, small group breakout Q&A community building sessions, as well as inspiring in-person rain garden tours across southeast Michigan.

ABOUT THE MASTER RAIN GARDENER TRAINING PROGRAM

The Master Rain Gardener Training Program began in Washtenaw County in 2010, developed by Susan Bryan, Harry Sheehan, and Shannan Gibb-Randall. Since that time, hundreds of gardeners have earned certification as a Master Rain Gardener and built beautiful rain gardens! Rain Gardens filter and cool stormwater so that our streams and rivers run clean. It is a nonpoint solution for nonpoint source pollution. During class, you will…

Design your own rain garden step-by-step

Receive friendly encouragement each step of the way from course instructors, past graduates, and fellow students

Become your neighborhood’s expert on rain gardens!

TIME: 10am – Noon DATES: Five Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, and April 7 TOURS (OPTIONAL): Afternoons on…

March 3 (Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County area),

March 17 (Armada, Macomb County area), and

March 24 (Plymouth, Wayne County area),

Additional tour dates and locations TBD

LOCATION: VIRTUAL, with an in-person outdoor tour COST: $89 Early Bird Rate ($380 value; sliding scale scholarships available, minimum fee of $20) $145 for applications received after Feb 17th

FLINT RIVER WATERSHED COALITION

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How can you jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon and create your own personal rain garden? Here’s a step-by-step guide, courtesy of The Rain Garden Network. http://www.raingardennetwork.com/build.htm

Read more: http://nationswell.com/stormwater-runoff-problem-plant-rain-garden/#ixzz37pziAJen