Rain Garden 2013Accept the Greener Challenge

Falls Lake Watershed

NCSSMFalls Lake Watershed

Falls Lake Clean Water Requirement

EPA requirements for the Falls Lake Watershed:20% reduction in total

nitrogen by 2016

If the lake quality fails to improve by 2016, a $115 million upgrade of Raleigh’s E.M. Johnson Treatment Plant will be needed .

Other improvements may cost an additional $200 million.

Significance of our site: Royall Parking Lot

Process

Measurements and assessments

Proposal to NCSSM School Administration and Plant Facilities

Rain Garden Design Contest

Excavation

Planting

Our impact Pollution reduction:

- ~0.1 lb phosphorous/yr

- ~1 lb nitrogen/yr

- ~ 60 lb suspended solid/yr

Engage and instruct local community to construct backyard and neighborhood rain gardens

- held rain garden workshop as part of NC Science Festival

Future Works

Adjust rain garden to maximize runoff capture

Assist local homeowners with rain garden construction to expand the impact of the best management practice.

Engage local elementary school students in sustainability through partnership with NCSSM ScienceDays club

Excavation

Mulch pile

Hard at work

Digging barefoot. Muddy!

Bye

Credits:

Photos by the Greener Challenge Club team – NCSSM 2013

Graphics on Slide 4 by KD Graphics