For more information on these raingardens follow the links below.

This photo was taken on May 11, 2005

Comprehensive Environmental Inc (CEI) provided funds for this Low Impact Design (LID) raingarden Project located in the Lake Massabesic watershed and the Merrimack River watershed, in the Town of Auburn, New Hampshire. CEI's LID Committee personnel served as the technical consultants for this project to identify a location for the project, design the raingarden, as well as providing the labor for the actual construction.

The project location had to fit several criteria:

an area that could capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff discharging to nearby stormdrains and eventually to the Lake Massabesic watershed and the Merrimack River watershed.
an area that was visible to the public
an area that would provide an educational benefit

The areas at the ends of the driveway, was chosen for the raingarden.

An educational sign was installed in the rain garden.

Construction of Rain Garden

On May 9, 2005 the garden area (20' x 5') was excavated on the left side of the driveway, and on May 10, 2005 the garden the garden area (12' x 6') was excavated on the left side of the driveway. On May 11, 2005 both areas were landscaped. The gardens were completed on May 11, 2005.

A 4 foot hole was excavated in the center of each garden. The depth of the hole was determined from the known frost depth in the area and will allow the area to continue to drain and prevent the plants from suffering during the colder months. The holed areas were then covered with filter fabric and filled with rocks provided from the excavated area.

The rock area was covered with the filter fabric and a 4" mixture of 50% native soil and 50% compost was spread over the garden area landscaped so that a depressed area was formed.

The compost-amended soil has many potential benefits when instituted with establishment of turf and landscaping, including:

increased water conservation,
increased nutrient retention,
better turf aesthetics,
reduced need for chemical use,
improved stormwater retention, and
cost-savings to the private landowner.

The area was planted with live plants and a two inch Hemlock mulch covering, was placed to prevent erosion from the exposed soils and to protect the plants.

Native plants were selected for their ability to grow in various depths of water and soil moisture conditions.

The delay in planting was caused by multiple storms.

Pre Construction Photos

Desired area left side	Desired area right side	Problems

During-construction Photos (05-05-05)

Digging	Digging Swale	Digging Swale

Swale Construction

Placing fabric filter	Adding rocks	Swale with rocks

Planting Photos

Soil compost mixture	Plantings in garden	Functioning garden

Click any thumbnail for a larger view. Photos above taken by CEI LID Committee members.