Council Bluffs Service Center Rain Gardens

Shaping of the rain gardens (above) took much of one whole day. Notice the location of the rain garden is strategically placed to catch storm water runoff from the parking lot. After soil amendments and the planting of more than 25 varieties of native plants, the rain gardens were completed (below).

Earlier this summer a local USDA office practiced what the agency preaches to private and commercial landowners – when it worked together to install three rain gardens.

Rain gardens are depressional areas landscaped with perennial flowers and native vegetation that soak up rainwater. Rain gardens are strategically located to capture runoff from impervious surfaces, such as roofs and streets. They fill with a few inches of water after a storm and then water filters into the ground, rather than running off to a storm drain.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages residential and commercial clients, when developing urban areas, to do their part in adopting management practices to improve water quality and conserve soil, similar to what agricultural producers have done for decades.

When the NRCS changed locations in Council Bluffs last year, Dale DuVal, West Pottawattamie County District Conservationist, and Rich Maaske, Urban Conservationist for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation, saw the perfect opportunity to utilize available green space for an urban conservation demonstration. “The old service center building was surrounded by pavement and asphalt,” said DuVal. “The new building has some green space, so the staff wanted to install some urban conservation practices.”

DuVal and his staff, along with assistance from more than 30 individuals from local businesses, government agencies and the community, installed three rain gardens June 6-7. The rain gardens cover approximately 1,300 square feet at their new location, 305 McKenzie Avenue.

DuVal said the demand for technical assistance from urban clients has increased drastically in the last four years. “As communities like Council Bluffs grow, increasing impervious surfaces, it is important to find ways to help rainwater infiltrate. Practices such as rain gardens protect water quality and reduce storm water runoff.”

Rain gardens are designed and planted with several factors in mind, including location, size, garden depth, soil amendments and plant selection.

Maaske said it took a day to shape the rain gardens and apply a compost blanket. Compost blankets provide a soil amendment consisting of decomposed organic waste with a consistency similar to high quality topsoil, but with a much higher organic matter content. Compost absorbs the impact of raindrops, which prevents detachment of soil particles.

The team of installers spent the next day planting and mulching. More than 25 varieties of native plants and wildflowers were used. “Because of this native plants developed under adverse weather conditions,” said Maaske. “Natives can handle the pressure from insects and other wildlife. Their root systems penetrate deep into the soil, helping to develop the soil structure that allows storm water to infiltrate instead of running off the landscape.”

In addition to NRCS, groups that collaborated in the rain garden installation include: West Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation District, IDALS-DSC, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Wohlerscape, Next Phase Environmental, Landscape Butler, Council Bluffs Recycling Center, Earl May Nursery, Diller’s Greenhouse, Arlene’s Greenhouse, Bomgaars, and Ion Exchange.

NRCS also hosted a rain garden class June 7 for volunteers, and those individuals assisted with the planting and mulching, too.

“Since we installed our rain gardens, our office has received several requests for assistance to install rain gardens in residential neighborhoods and on commercial properties,” said DuVal.

Features

Leading by Example

USDA Service Center Employees, Volunteers Install Rain Gardens at New C.B. Location