Sustainable Stormwater Management: Read Your Site First

The foundation of resilient stormwater management is understanding your site. Observe water behavior, identify issues and opportunities, and respond appropriately for your climate.

1. See the Big Picture

Watch your yard during heavy rain. Note water movement, puddling, surface interactions. A rock swale carrying roof runoff through decking and plantings shows harmonious integration.

Know your climate: Annual rainfall timing—arid regions with flash floods need storage/harvesting; Pacific Northwest's year-round rain requires infiltration strategies.

Know your soil: Soil cleanses water through infiltration. Good infiltration = less work. Compacted or clay-heavy soil = more intervention needed.

2. Identify Issues & Opportunities

Walk your site before problems escalate. Key questions:

• Runoff surfaces: Calculate roof, driveway, patio, walkway square footage. See runoff as design opportunity—swales and rain gardens as beautiful features.
• Pooling water: Should drain within 24 hours. Persistent pooling = regrading opportunity to reshape ground and connect garden areas.
• Soil erosion: Accelerates if unchecked. Plant groundcovers and vines to stabilize.
• Drought-prone areas: Drooping, sunburned leaves signal excessive irrigation needs. Opportunity: plant heat-loving, drought-tolerant species (succulents, native perennials).

3. Respond Appropriately

Store, Slow, Spread, Sink

Rain barrels store roof water. Swales, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paving slow and spread runoff. Infiltration (sinking) is the ultimate goal for landscape and environment.

Move & Infiltrate Pooling Water

Water pooling >24 hours indicates poor infiltration or excess runoff. Move it via rock swale, runnel, or rain chain to absorptive areas. Combine subdrainage with swales and stormwater planters if needed.

Stop Soil Erosion

Washed-out areas, exposed roots = water moving too fast. Sustainable techniques reduce quantity/speed. Slow runoff at downspouts. Implement erosion control on steep slopes and vulnerable soils.

Use Drought-Tolerant Plants in Dry Zones

Hot microclimates dry out even in rainy climates. Replace thirsty plants with drought-tolerant natives. Shade trees cool overexposed areas, combat urban heat island effect, and retain soil moisture—reducing long-term irrigation.