StormWater & Rain Gardens
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that runs off of the land during precipitation events. In areas developed before 2000, rainfall which lands on impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, roadways and roofs typically runs off quickly into street gutters until it reaches an inlet, which it is then conveyed to a nearby stream or lake. If left uncontrolled, stormwater can have detrimental effects on receiving waters including flooding, erosion and water quality problems that impair or even kill aquatic life in our streams. Explore these materials to learn more about what you can do to control excess stormwater runoff.
To volunteer for the annual creek clean-ups for Darby & Cobbs Creeks, go to Darby Creek Valley Association: www.DCVA.org
Things NOT to do include piping roof drains directly to the sidewalk, driveway or street; pumping sumps to the sanitary sewer; paving unpaved driveways; widening paved driveways; building impervious patios; and otherwise increasing rainwater runoff. Modifications which significantly increase impervious area require Township approval. Alternatives or storm water management facilities may be required. Contact the Township for further information.
HavARainGarden
Why plant a Rain Garden
Rain Gardens help reduce runoff, flooding and stormwater pollution, improving water quality in our streams and rivers for aquatic life and recreational users. This is becoming an ever more important part of mitigating the effects of climate change. The native plants used also create habitat for pollinators.
10 Residents per year are getting a rain garden built by the Hav-a-Rain Garden program if their home or small business in Haverford ranks highly enough, they contribute sweat equity and commit to maintaining their garden. Hav-a-Rain Garden reached its goal of completing 100 residential/small business gardens; and helped Public Works build rain gardens in Bailey Park, Merwood Park and the Oakmont Parking Lot.
How to apply for a Rain Garden
Haverford property owners (including non-profits and businesses) can request an assessment to be considered for one of Hav-a-Rain Garden’s 5 rain gardens each season - e-mail your address & phone # to havaraingarden@gmail.com . After that, you must respond to a signupgenius email to schedule your assessment. Only Haverford property owners (including non-profits and businesses) are eligible - high scoring assessments qualify to be offered a rain garden and sweat-equity is required. Extra points for volunteering ahead of selection!
Learn More
If you live elsewhere or just want to learn how to do it yourself, signup for the winter Rain Garden Workshop (see Hav-a-Good Times or email us in early winter) and volunteer to see how it is done (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdlvYx4IhM&t=14s). Follow us on Facebook and for on-line resources and information on programs in other towns, see https://www.dcva.org/Rain-Garden/.
Who are we?
Hav-a-Rain Garden was started by Haverford EAC and is now a part of the Haverford Township Civic Council, a community 501c3 non-profit. Tax deductible contributions can be made at https://www.haverfordciviccouncil.org/ by clicking “Donate” and selecting Use for - Rain Gardens. 100% of donations are used by this all-volunteer organization to build rain gardens.
In the News!
Haverford workshop teaches ways to reduce stormwater runoff through special gardens
Volunteer to Lead or help with planning
100 Rain Gardens in 10 Years! Be a part of the Hav-a-Rain Garden team for the next decade! We have many volunteers who help install our gardens but need a few more committed individuals who will help outreach, schedule, assess, design, order and care for plants, and stage and coordinate installation. Many hands make light work!
Email havaraingarden@gmail.com and with the subject “Rain Garden Team” and tell us you want to join our core rain garden team or apprentice to start a program in your town and we will send you the link for future meetings. If you just want to volunteer for the installations and are not already on our signup genius list, use the subject “Volunteer for Rain Garden Installation” and we will add you to our list for installations (mid-May to June and mid-September to October). Our lead Organizer is stepping down after 10 years and we would love to keep this great program going!
Learn More
Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative
A Rain Garden is a depressed garden on your property designed to catch and filter the water that runs off your roof, driveway, walkway, compacted lawn areas and other impervious surfaces. Rain Gardens can infiltrate 30% more water than lawn and capture and filter the first flush of stormwater that contains the most pollutants. They greatly reduce pollutants entering the storm sewer system and reduce the volume of water entering our streams reducing flooding.
Find out how to build your own rain garden.
Rain Barrels
Harvest your own rainwater!
Reduce water running off roofs to help mitigate flooding at home/downstream. Make sure to use the rainwater. Plants love rain water!
The Simple Steps to Take: Buy Rain Barrels at any home store and install or go to a rain barrel workshop (https://prc.org/programs/conservation-workshops/watershed-rain-barrels/).
Plant a Tree
Trees are valued for the beauty and many other benefits they bring to our landscapes and neighborhoods. Trees are increasingly recognized for their importance in managing runoff. Their leaf canopies help reduce erosion caused by falling rain. They also provide surface area where rain water lands and evaporates. Roots take up water and help create conditions in the soil that promote infiltration.
Permeable Surfaces
Use Permeable Pavement for Driveways/Patios
Benefits to the Environment: Less rain water goes into storm sewers and more rain water goes into the ground.
Flood Factor
Tips from the Haverford EAC
Find your home's Flood Factor
Past floods, current risks, and future projections based on peer-reviewed research from the world’s leading flood modelers. The model calculates any location’s probability of flooding from the four major flood types: rain, riverine, tidal events, and storm surge.
Tips from the Haverford EAC
Tips from the Haverford EAC
- Clear debris from storm water drains
- Raise lawn mower blade height
- Avoid pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on lawns and gardens
- Clean up pet waste
- Wash vehicles at commercial car washes
- Never dump anything down a storm water drain
- Compost yard and grass clippings
Sea Level Rise Viewer
Sea Level Rise Viewer
Sea Level Rise Viewer
Use this web mapping tool to visualize community-level impacts from coastal flooding or sea level rise (up to 10 feet above average high tides). Photo simulations of how future flooding might impact local landmarks are also provided, as well as data related to water depth, connectivity, flood frequency, socio-economic vulnerability, wetland loss and migration, and mapping confidence.