[Durham INC] Stormwater

[Mike - Hotmail]

Anyone interested in seeing what a rain garden is and what it does to 'act locally' regarding storm water run off is more than just invited to stop by our home at the corner of Acadia and West Club to see the one we put in four years ago.

We also now have 5 rainbarrels installed around the home that are functioning.

Mike Shiflett


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Pat Carstensen 
  To: inc listserv 
  Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 11:09 AM
  Subject: [Durham INC] Stormwater


  Regardless of what the state or feds say about stormwater, I think we need to think creatively about how to do better with stormwater.  Not only do we drink water from the lake, but


  1) I'm sure everyone knows folks who complain about about the pools of water around their house every time it rains, because run-off from several lots runs onto one yard

  2) Rockwood came to INC years ago to talk about what to do about mosquitoes breeding in standing water in the park (I'm assuming a lot of the water came from Rockwood itself)



  So, what is the equivalent of the compact fluorescent lightbulb for stormwater.  What simple things can homeowners do on their property that is cheap, simple and effective?



  I know about water gardens, and some communities are doing a lot around them:
  http://www.raingardeninitiative.org/

  But that is more like replacing windows (bigger investment, bigger pay-off, possible source of green jobs, but not something you decide to do on a weekend)



  What I am doing:
  1) Ripped up the black plastic the previous homeowner put down
  2) Put perennial flower beds along curb (they may have higher run-off than grass but they are raised so hold back the run-off from yard above it)
  3) There is a small copse in front of the house that captures a lot of the water off the house
  4) We put small wood barriers across a path that goes down toward the street.  They create a series of small puddles in the path.  This slows the flow so whatever water that gets to the street is cleaner.

  5) My latest effort is trying to figure out how I can increase the puddles / decrease flow velocity in the narrow stretch of yard that still has unprotected flow down to the street.  I don't want to completely dig up the yard and don't want obvious barriers.  Any ideas on this?  

  Anyhow, I think this is something neighborhoods can do a lot on.

  Regards, pat



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