White Bear Montessori Raingarden

Quick Facts:

The project consists of two large raingardens: A north raingarden (450 sq.ft.) and a south raingarden (400 sq.ft.). The Project was built in Summer, 2016, and collects water from almost 15,000 square feet of the property.

Funding:

The project was funded by a VLAWMO cost-share level 2 grant, a grant from Ramsey Conservation District, and White Bear Montessori School.

Reason for project:

The project addresses a long history of issues with water in the school basement, improved storm water runoff and groundwater recharge for the greater area, and serves as an educational tool for students.

Construction:

The project features three boulder walls, specialty soil for infiltration, birch, tamarack and quaking aspen trees, a natural play area, as well as underdrains that direct excess water to the stormdrain during large rain events (over 12” ponding depth).

Results:

The project greatly reduces stormwater runoff volume, total suspended solids (sediments that go into water and cause turbidity), and total phosphorous. Calculations were made through the MIDS program.

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