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Runoff: a post-settlement problem

Before European settlers arrived in the region, most of the water that now becomes runoff was absorbed into the soil, filtered by the earth as it made its way to underground aquifers. Precipitation that was not absorbed into the soil traveled through areas filled with native plants, whose structures were uniquely adapted to remove impurities before the water reached its destination.

As development spread across the area, paved areas and rooftops kept precipitation from direct contact with the soil. Without absorption, the water ran across the land at higher volumes and velocities, damaging natural drainage channels and causing flooding, which led cities to install storm sewers. The runoff picked up pollutants, creating impaired waters, which led to regulations that attempted to address the problem through expensive, large-scale, stormwater management projects.

Today, homeowners and communities alike are finding that they can help nature treat and control precipitation through small-scale stormwater projects that reflect the pre-settlement environment. One valuable tool in this effort is the rain garden.