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Rain Gardens
Washington Township High School
509-529 Hurfville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell, Gloucester County, New Jersey 08080
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| Installation | Plant Layout | Maintenance | Photographs |
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Sara Mellor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
The Washington Township High School rain garden was installed to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from a portion of the school building's 11/12 wing roof.
Staff from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program conducted an educational program for the Washington Township High School's Students Against Violation of the Earth (S.A.V.E.) Club in June of 2013. This educational program included a discussion on what a rain garden is and how it works, and facts about the native plants that they installed in their school's rain garden.
To address the water quality issues associated with increased stormwater runoff, demonstration projects like this rain garden are essential.
This rain garden manages stormwater runoff from a redirected downspout located on the school building's 11/12 wing near the athletic fields.
The rain garden was installed in June 2013 by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program student interns and staff, and a staff member of the Washington Township School District Department of Buildings and Grounds. The rain garden was excavated by using a backhoe to remove the sod and to reach the appropriate depth. To slow the velocity of water flowing from the downspout, a trench was dug and lined with 3-5" river rock. On the down slope of the rain garden a raised berm was established with topsoil and reinforced with river rock to ensure stability. A three inch layer of mulch was spread throughout the rain garden to help prevent weeds. The native plants that were installed by the S.A.V.E. Club students in this rain garden were purchased from New Moon Nursery.
Approval to install the rain garden was granted by the Principal at Washington Township High School.
Rain Garden Parameters:
Rain garden size - 250 square feet
Drainage area - 1,000 square feet
Plant List:
Blue Lobelia
High Bush Blueberry
Ironweed
Mountain Mint
New England Aster
Seaside Goldenrod
Soft Rush
Tufted Hair Grass
Turtlehead
Tussock Sedge
Click here to download Adobe Reader to view the rain garden map and the plant list fact sheets.
This rain garden is maintained by staff and students at Washington Township High School.
Click here for photographs of the Washington Township High School rain garden.
