Featured Programs and Events
Greeley Water Conservation and Stormwater divisions have partnered with the CSU Stormwater Center and Colorado Water Conservation Board on a Grant to install five rain garden demonstration projects in Greeley. Flyer and application above.
What is a rain garden?
It is a landscaped feature that replaces an area of your lawn in order to collect the stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off your grass, roof and driveway. This shallow depression has loose, deep soil that absorbs and naturally filters the runoff, delaying and filtering it before entering the storm drain system and, eventually, our waterways. (slow it, spread it and sink it)
What is the problem?
As stormwater runs over streets, parking lots, and lawns it can pick up and carry many kinds of materials that get washed into storm drains. Storm drains are specialized drainage systems designed to handle an excess of water from flooding or heavy rainfall. They lead directly into the nearest water body. Large objects are screened out, but the water is not filtered and is carried to nearby streams and lakes. This leads to stormwater pollution!
Why build a rain garden?
Rain gardens are not only beautiful and creative, but they are also functional. By planting a rain garden, you can help maintain the natural water cycle while protecting local rivers, lakes, fish and drinking water sources.
Rain gardens:
- Limit the amount of water that enters the local storm drain system
- Reduce the potential for flooding, drainage problems and stream bank erosion
- Reduce the quantity of pollutants that run from our yards and roads straight into our waterways
- Improves water quality naturally by filtering water through plants and soil profile
- Restore and recharge our groundwater and water system
- Are low maintenance. They are planted with beautiful, hardy plants that require little to no watering
- Attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects, such as mosquito-consuming dragonflies
- Complement any style of landscape and enhance the beauty of the surrounding neighborhood.
- Conserve water by using natives and reducing turf grass
- Compared to a patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about 30% more water to soak into the ground!
Ongoing Water Conservation Programs