Irresistible Ink Curving Rain Garden Swale (2009): When Irresistible Ink, a Hallmark company located in the Airpark Blvd commercial area near the airport, approached the SWCD about taking an innovative approach to managing stormwater on their property, we knew it was a great fit. After all, they are located right across from Miller Creek, a stream that is sensitive to impacts from stormwater runoff. Thanks to funding from the Clean Water Partnership Fund, the SWCD worked with I.I. to design a curving rain garden swale through the property to provide additional cleaning and cooling of runoff before it enters the creek. The I.I. swale will be a great site for other environmentally conscious businesses to visit if they are considering similar improvements on their own property.

Click here to view photos of the project and the list of plants used.

Energy Plus Rain Garden and Pervious Concrete (2009): The rain garden stormwater system constructed at Energy Plus takes a system approach to the concept of stormwater treatment and conveyance.  The stormwater from the parking lot is routed to the rain garden with an innovative drain trench constructed of crushed rock and perforated piping, which is then overlaid with a 4-foot wide strip of pervious concrete pavement.  Initial rainwater flows will be infiltrated under the trench. Additional rainwater that can not be infiltrated will enter the perforated pipe in the trench and be directed to a 700 sq. ft. rain garden.  The rain garden is planted with native water-acclimated plants, which will provide stormwater treatment and promote infiltration before discharging the water to the storm sewer and ultimately Miller Creek.  Rain gardens provide treatment through water and nutrient uptake into the plants and through filtration through the specially constructed soil mixture (composed of clean sand and leaf compost).

Click here to see photos and plans of this project.

Lake Superior College Rain Garden (2006): Lake Superior College and the SWCD worked together to design and build a treatment system for runoff from the college's myriad parking lots. Runoff from the campus runs directly into nearby Miller Creek.

Click here to learn more about this project.

Glensheen Stormwater Management Project (2004): The SWCD worked with staff from the historic Glensheen Mansion,  a popular tourist stop for visitors to Duluth, to design and develop ways to manage stormwater on their property, which is located on the shores of Lake Superior.

Click here to view the Final Grant Report for this project.