Rain Gardens
Rain running off roads and driveways flows into storm drains that discharge to local streams and bays. This stormwater often carries pollutants and contaminants such as heavy metals, fertilizers, oil and pet waste. Rain gardens are designed to collect the first flush of runoff during a rainstorm, which carries the highest levels of pollutants, and hold it temporarily in bioretention basins. Stormwater filters through special soils that hold onto pollutants and plant roots absorb excess nutrients, reducing contaminated runoff before it reaches our bays and recharging the groundwater. See WSU Rain Gardens for more information about why rain gardens are such effective stormwater filtration systems and WSU Rural Stormwater Solutions for a suite of educational materials to help landowners manage stormwater and reduce polluted runoff in rural areas.
MRC funds serve as leverage for broader community support. WSU Extension, Native Plant Salvage Foundation, City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Port of Port Townsend, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Quilcene School, Master Gardeners, community volunteers and others are all helping to treat stormwater by building rain gardens.
MRC co-sponsored rain gardens are located at:
- Chetzemoka Park, NE Corner
- Garfield & Madison St., SW Corner
- Garfield & Madison St., NW Corner
- Garfield & Adams St.
- Lincoln & Adams St.
- Lincoln & Van Buren St.
- Clay & Taylor St.
- Clay & Benton St.
- Washington St. (Jefferson County Courthouse)
- Monroe & Water St.
- Franklin & Adams St.
- Cape George
- Quilcene School (2)
- Quilcene, adjacent to Center Rd., and
- Chimacum & Oak Bay Rd. (Port Hadlock)
- Behind the Kivley Center on Oak Bay Rd. (Port Hadlock)
If you have a site suggestion for a new rain garden installation in East Jefferson County, don't hesitate to reach out and let us know!
