Rain Garden Installation
Rain gardens help conserve water while also reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality
Residential Rain Garden Pilot Project
At a Glance
Rain Garden Resources
Project Summary
During the summer months, approximately 50% of the daily residential water consumption in Colorado is used for outdoor irrigation purposes. Municipalities, water providers and water conservation organizations have encouraged and incentivized their constituents to remove turf, plant xeric gardens, and install water efficient landscape equipment.
While these programs have contributed to water savings, additional research is needed to continue transforming Colorado landscapes away from turf and towards landscapes that thrive using the average amount of rainfall received in our arid state.
Installing rain gardens is a water conservation strategy which includes the added benefits of reducing stormwater runoff and enhancing water quality. This project advanced the implementation of rain gardens as a water conservation tool along the Colorado Front Range. A total of 19 residential rain gardens were installed in Fort Collins, Wellington, Greeley, Windsor, Loveland, Longmont, Commerce City, Centennial, and Denver communities.
This project was primarily funded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado Water Center. However, several water providers, municipalities and non-profit organizations funded the materials used to install the demonstration gardens, information about the project sponsors are provided below.
Our Team
Other Collaborators
This project includes collaboration across Colorado State University (CSU) disciplines. Dr. Jennifer Bousselot (Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) and graduate student Thomas Hickey (Horticulture and Landscape Architecture) designed the planting layouts. Additionally, Deryn Davidson, Interim Extension Director Jefferson County, CSU Extension consulted and collaborated on this project. CSU Extension also provided funding for project staff Riley Lynch and Mia Campbell.