Rain Gardens, Rain Barrels, and Mapping Impervious Surfaces
New England Tropical Conservatory (NETC), Bennington County Conservation District (BCCD) and Bennington County Regional Commission, are partnering on a grant-funded project to educate community members about storm water management. The Regional Commission will be mapping the impervious surfaces in Bennington’s growth area, a first step in reducing stormwater flows- and the pollutants they carry- to our streams and rivers. At the NETC Education Center, NETC and BCCD will demonstrate the “why” and “how” of rain gardens, the use of rain barrels and will share outreach materials that can help you improve water quality and stormwater management around your home or small businesses.
Why do we need to learn about stormwater management?
Potential growth zone. Click to enlarge photograph.
Several studies have documented the direct relationship between impervious surfaces and pollutant loads in watercourses, especially in urbanized areas, where impervious surfaces can represent a significant percentage of the land cover. A map of the potential growth zone for the town of Bennington includes the major tributaries Roaring Branch, Jewett Brook, South Stream, Barney Stream, Furnace Brook, and Paran Creek. We all need to take responsibility for our actions in our watershed to protect water quality in our rivers and streams in years to come.
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is a bowl shaped garden designed to capture and absorb rainfall and snowmelt (collectively referred to as “stormwater”). 
When stormwater runs off impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roofs, compacted soils, and roads, it accumulates pollutants and delivers them to a nearby lake or river either directly or via a storm drain. Stormwater pollutants typically include sediment; nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus); bacteria from animal waste; and oil, grease, and heavy metals from cars. Stormwater can also produce higher and faster floodwaters , resulting in damage to public and private property and infrastructure, and causing streambank erosion and habitat loss. However, if captured by a rain garden, stormwater is more likely to soak into the ground and eventually recharge the groundwater at a rate 30% greater than that of a typical lawn. Ultimately, if we all work together to create landscape features that absorb stormwater, we can restore and help preserve the waterways that help make Vermont so beautiful.
What is a rain barrel?
A rain barrel is container that captures water from the roof and stores it for future use. Rain barrels serve a similar purpose to rain gardens because the water from the barrels can be used during dry spells to water gardens or lawns. Rain barrels are for sale for less than cost at the NETC Education Center.