Stormwater and Rain Gardens
Nearshore Living
We live on an evergreen covered island, surrounded by the Salish Sea, and it's pretty great. Orcas swim by, herons stand patiently waiting for fish, clams and mussels hide in the sand until our shovels dig them up. We eat and recreate in the ocean, lakes, and rivers. We get our drinking water from underground aquifers and nearby rivers. And we share our world with many other creatures who call the oceans and rivers their home. As island residents, we live on the nearshore - that magical place where land meets ocean. It's our responsibility to be good stewards of our place and Whidbey Island Conservation District is here to help! We have information, resources, and staff to help you take action to preserve and protect the vital natural resource that is our water. |
Let's Talk About Stormwater
Stormwater is the name we use for rain and snow when it hits the ground. In a natural system, this water would fall on plants and healthy soil. The plants would absorb some of the water and the soil would retain and filter some of the water to be released slowly into waterways. Some of the water would make a long journey down to refresh our underground aquifers, which is where most Whidbey residents get their drinking water. But in our human developments, there's a lot of surface area that can't absorb water (impermeable surfaces), such as streets, parking areas, sports fields, gravel lots, rooftops, and driveways. What happens to that stormwater? |
Stormwater Run-off
Stormwater run-off is rain that falls on impermeable surfaces and, since it can't be absorbed by these surfaces, it flows directly into nearby lakes, rivers and Puget Sound. For us islanders who live on the near-shore, the ocean is never far away, and our stormwater run-off flows into it with few opportunities to be caught and filtered. Everything that sits on our roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and streets is in danger of being picked up by stormwater run-off and carried to the ocean along with the water. As landowners, our job is to keep impermeable surfaces free of pollutants, fecal bacteria, and garden chemicals so that these pollutants don't build up in our waterways and poison them. |
Is Your Rain Garden Working?Interested in learning more about what a working rain garden is, and what it should look like? Watch this recorded webinar from WICD and Snohomish Conservation District to learn about the Rain Garden and Bioretention Assessment Protocols. This class will help you understand whether your rain garden is functioning as intended, or whether you may need to do some maintenance.
Rain Garden & Bioretention Assessment Protocol Resources: |
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Other Resources
How You can Help
There are lots of actions you can take at home and in your community to keep stormwater free of pollutants and benefit the environment. Below are resources to get started. More resources can be found on the main Water Management page and the Backyards page. You can also subscribe to our Youtube channel for videos on conservation practices.
Clean up Pollutants
Every surface on your property that is hit by rain can contribute to pollutants in stormwater run-off. Here's a some actions to take around the house::
Remove Impervious Surfaces
One great action to take to improve stormwater is to remove some of the impervious surfaces on your property.
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Keep Fecal Bacteria Contained
That's right, we mean poop. You, your family, your pets, your backyard chickens, and your livestock all make waste that contains fecal bacteria. This type of bacteria is easily picked up by stormwater and taken to the waterways in which we swim, play, eat, and drink. Yuck!
Make Green Consumer Choices
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Practice Natural Yard Care
Up to 65% of the fertilizer and herbicide we put on our lawns is washed into waterways by stormwater. That is a huge amount of money and time washed away in the rain! There are many ways to reduce chemical use in the garden.
Slow the Flow
Redirect your gutters and downspouts into rain barrels, rain gardens, or bioswales. Not only does this reduce stormwater run-off, it allows you to capture water for garden use or water a rain garden of beautiful plants.
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This page has been updated as part of the Island County Stormwater Assistance & Outreach Network project through a Department of Ecology Near Term Action grant. The project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 01J18101 to Department of Ecology. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.