What is “Rainscaping”?
“Rainscaping” is a concept promoting infiltration based stormwater management practices on a statewide basis. “Rainscapes” are stormwater practices that can be installed on both residential and commercial properties.
Such practices are identical to the practices found in the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual with one catch – we translate this [mundane] engineering manual into something us non-engineers can understand!
Rainscapes look like regular landscapes at a glance. However, one major difference exists: rainscapes are designed to retain and infiltrate a known quantity of runoff generated from a certain area, such as a rooftop, driveway, parking lot, or street. Rainscapes prevent rain from becoming polluted stormwater runoff.
The program in the Des Moines area is called the “Rain Campaign” seeks to spread awareness of Rainscaping practices and provides information to homeowners on implementing practices on their own property. Check out this informational flyer about the campaign.
For residents living in Iowa City, Coralville, or North Liberty, check out the new program “Love Our Waters“. Rebates are available to help create a lawn that promotes cleaner water in our streams starts in your backyard. The program helps residents get a lawn they can be proud of with less chemicals.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority also has a Green Streets program. The Iowa Green Streets Criteria promote public health, energy efficiency, water conservation, smart locations, operational savings, and sustainable building practices. The strategies in the following pages enhance affordable housing, community facilities, town centers and whole communities.
Program Goals
The goal of Rainscaping Iowa is twofold:
- Build awareness and understanding for Rainscapes through education and outreach
- Support this effort with training and technical support
The concept is supported through numerous partners.
Rainscaping and Green Infrastructure Practices
Stormwater best management practices, or BMPs, can fall into one of two categories – the Basic Rainscape or the Engineered Rainscape, also known as “Green Infrastructure.” Rainscapes mirror traditional landscape, but their commonalities end with plants and mulch. A great deal of work below ground ensures that a 1.25″ rain infiltrates, or .78 gallons per square foot of area are managed by the practice.
Bioswales
Engineered Practice
Bioswales are installed as an alternative to storm sewers and consist of permeable soil, perforated subdrain, and earthen berms.
Bioretention Cells
Engineered Practice
Bioretention cells are landscaped depressions that capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces.
Constructed Wetlands
Engineered Practice
Wetlands decrease stormwater flow rates and volumes through absorption, evapotranspiration, and outlet restrictions.
Green Roofs and Living Walls
Engineered Practice
A green roof incorporates vegetation, soil or another growing medium, and a drainage layer over a waterproof membrane on a roof.
Permeable Pavement Systems
Engineered Practice
Permeable or porous pavement allows water to infiltrate around and/or through the surface into engineered layers of rock below the pavement and then into surrounding soils.
Tree Boxes
Engineered Practice
Trees are mini-reservoirs for rain and reduce urban stormwater runoff at the source by intercepting and holding rain on leaves, branches and bark.
River Restoration
Engineered Practice
River restoration includes a variety of practices to restore the natural functions of a stream ecosystem, including floodplain functions.
Native Turf
Basic Practice
Native turf features a blend of low-growing native or warm season grasses that provide a lawn-like appearance with minimal maintenance, while enhancing soil quality.
Rainwater Harvesting
Basic Practice
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting rainwater and storing it for later use (e.g. watering your garden or lawn) using a barrel or cistern.
Rain Gardens
Basic Practice
A green roof incorporates vegetation, soil or another growing medium, and a drainage layer over a waterproof membrane on a roof.
Soil Quality Restoration
Basic Practice
Soil quality restoration is the process of improving soil health on new or existing lawns. It is simple – start by reducing soil compaction through tillage or aeration and increasing organic matter content with the addition of high quality topsoil and/or compost.
Native Landscaping
Basic Practice
Trees are mini-reservoirs for rain and reduce urban stormwater runoff at the source by intercepting and holding rain on leaves, branches and bark.
Order Rainscaping Yard Signs
ISWEP and Polk County SWCD have developed metal signs that can be placed near most green infrastructure practices to explain the purpose and design to the public. Designs are included for bioretention cells, bioswales, native landscaping, native turf, P-Free lawns, permeable pavement, prairie in progress, rain gardens, “Rainscaped”, rainwater harvesting, redirected downspouts, soil quality restoration, and stream buffers. Contact Iowa Prison Industries to order.
