Stephens College and City of Columbia Rain Garden Project

This rain garden project is an collaboration between Stephens College and the City of Columbia Stormwater Utility Outreach and Education program - Stormwater Utility Public Works.

Project is located @ Stephens College Stables on the Stephens campus in the Hinkson Watershed.

Special thanks to the staff and employees of the City and Stephens College, Caring for Columbia MU and Stephens Students & Faculty and our Stream Team Volunteers who came out today and built the garden in under two hours! Thanks to all our volunteers today!

A rain garden is a planted depression or a hole that allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, the opportunity to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground (as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters which causes erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater). The purpose of a rain garden is to improve water quality in nearby bodies of water. Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%.