The Lakeaires Elementary raingarden was built in 2014 by the White Bear Lake School district supported by VLAWMO Community Blue grant funding.

The project helped to resolve a severe erosion issue at the southwater corner of the school parking lot. Parking lot runoff was topping the curb and flowing over the sidewalk into a nearby turf area. This turf area was getting badly damaged, and the runoff kept moving from the turf back onto the street. This was a clear problem area both for the school as well as the waterbody that received the runoff, sediment and nutrients; East Goose Lake.

The solution included a trap rock dry creek bed to catch the incoming runoff from the sidewalk. This protects the soil and redirects it into a raingarden basin instead of it flowing out into the street. The raingarden itself is actually built with a liner underneath the basin and an outflow for water to exit back into the street. This is due to a poor infiltration ability of the soil at this particular site. The liner was a solution in the design to provide filtration for the stormwater runoff. The roots and soil from the raingarden are an improvement for the site’s runoff into East Goose Lake, providing filtration as well as slowing down the runoff and sedimentation.

Native plants included in this raingarden include aster, fringed brome grass, yellow dogwood, white turtle-head, joe pye weed, blazing star, great lobelia, mountain mint, prairie cordgrass, and blue vervain.

The raingarden reduces sedimentation into East Goose Lake by an estimated 40.3 lbs/yr and reduces total phosphorus by .107 lbs/yr. 1 lb of phosphorus can create up to 500 lbs of algae, so a little phosphorus removal goes a long way for water quality benefits! 

The raingarden also provides an example of sustainable and water-friendly landscaping in a highly visible area close to the school entrance. It's located near a series of raised garden beds and benches, together creating a unique outdoor classroom setting for students. Our help to take care of the raingarden and projects like it support student's experience, schoolyard beautification, and stormwater improvements.