New Hampshire Rivers Council Forum

Spring brought the first year of snowmelt and spring rains to put this little rain garden to its first big test. Right after planting in late August 2023, there were significant storms that showed runoff going where it needed to go: to the plants, soil, and structures beneath doing what they were designed to do—remove pollutants from stormwater runoff. 

Sally Soule, Rivers Council board officer, and Jean Eno, long-time Winnicut River advocate and Greenland resident, put the garden to bed in the fall and gave it a gentle wake-up in the spring.  

“Projects like this go a long way toward reducing nutrient loading in our waterways. Plus, they provide important co-benefits such as habitat and food for pollinators,” said Sally Soule, board officer, New Hampshire Rivers Council.

Since then, last year’s performance has continued through the 2024 growing season. This little rain garden is having a big effect in the Winnicut River watershed. It is removing 1.3 pounds of phosphorus and 13.2 pounds of nitrogen from the watershed each year. When the kiosk is completed, visitors will see the rain garden, read about what it is doing, and how they can do the same in their own backyards. 

“It has been a pleasure watching this raingarden grow and adapt to the stormwater runoff imposed upon it. The resiliency of the all the plants, particularly the thriving Cardinal flower, is remarkable,” said Eno.

“Gigantic kudos to Jean and Paul Eno of Greenland for their amazing work taking care of the rain garden through some extreme summer and fall weather,” added Michele L. Tremblay, President, Board of Directors of the New Hampshire Rivers Council.

When the kiosk is completed, a ribbon cutting event will be announced. 

Want to learn more about rain gardens? Please read on. 

What is a rain garden? 

A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rainwater from a roof, driveway, parking lot, or road and allows it to soak into the ground. Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost-effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff. Rain gardens can filter pollutants and provide food and shelter for butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife. This garden is filled with plants native to our area. 

Why is it here? 

Runoff from impervious surfaces, including roads, parking lots, and building roofs can carry fine soils, nutrients, and pollutants. The water can also become very warm, which has negative effects on fish and other animals, who depend on our brooks and rivers. This little rain garden has big, positive effects by absorbing these materials and keeping unnaturally warm water from flowing directly into the Winnicut River. 

Should I have one? 

Rain gardens are a wonderful way to absorb runoff to brooks and rivers and to keep water from pooling around houses. Depending on the plantings, they can provide food for pollinators and color year ‘round. 

This rain garden went to work the day it was installed 

From its first day in August 2023, this rain garden absorbed water that flowed from the road and parking lot. It was absorbed quickly and did not runoff into the storm drains, which lead to the Winnicut River. Since then, it has stood strong against heavy rains and snow melt. Each year, the plants will grow, expand, and reproduce to provide increased water absorption, filtration of pollutants, and habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.  

Funding for this project was provided in part by a Watershed Assistance Grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services with Clean Water Act Section 319 funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and generous gifts from New Hampshire Rivers Council members.