Rain Gardens: A refuge for runoff Urban communities are taking a
stand. You might have missed a little hidden gem taking a stroll
down concrete jungle. Tucked in the depression of the ground,
the water that quickly streams down the asphalt after an episode
of rain is slowed down when it flows into what’s called, a rain
garden. Just as the name suggests, it’s a garden that has
everything to do with rain. Sidewalks, parking lots, driveways,
roofs and compacted lawns are the top culprits for runoff and
are also known as impervious surfaces. In Vancouver alone, it is
estimated that 50% of the area is covered with impervious
surfaces. (10% is threshold that separates minor impact to
significant impact on a neighboring watershed
[http://www.env.gov.bc.ca]). Impervious surfaces allow water to
bypass the absorption process, transporting it, often to storm
drainage where it then enters a nearby waterway. This
undoubtedly affects the saturation of the surrounding ground and
ultimately affects the natural landscapes. Lo