Why Building a Rain Garden Will Help Keep the Flathead Basin Clean

By Emilie Henry

The waters of Flathead Lake are some of the most pristine in the country, providing refuge for a number of important aquatic species and a breath-taking recreational environment for humans to enjoy. However, since the 1970s, scientific reports indicate that the water quality of Flathead Lake is decreasing due to increasing human populations and subsequent increases in stormwater runoff.

What is Stormwater and Why Does It Matter?

Stormwater is defined as any water from rain or snow that runs over hard, impervious surfaces and has the ability to collect pollutants. Some examples of such pollutants include fertilizers, heavy metals, oils, and excess sediment from construction sites. An increase in impervious surfaces (like paved roads and buildings) leads to an increase in stormwater runoff each time it rains or snows. Many people incorrectly assume that all stormwater will enter the sewer system and pass through the water treatment plant, ridding it of any and all pollutants it may have picked up. In cities like Kalispell, however, this is not the case, and stormwater can enter waterways after little or no treatment.

Rain Gardens: The Natural Way to Minimize Your Stormwater Impact

The City of Kalispell and local residents are taking actions to reduce stormwater pollution in our waterways. But your help is also needed to ensure that Flathead Lake stays clean for future generations. One important thing you and your family can do is build a rain garden right in your own backyard. A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects stormwater runoff and allows it to soak back into the ground. Your rain garden can contain a number of natural plant species that help to filter out pollutants that may have been picked up, making it a natural and beautiful way to reduce stormwater and pollutants entering our local waterways.

Where Can I Learn More about Rain Gardens?

The Flathead Conservation District offers numerous resources to help you determine the best size, shape, and location of your rain garden, including what native plants would look and function best in your backyard. Visit the Flathead Conservation District website (https://flatheadcd.org/) for more information on rain garden workshops that are coming up this summer and how to get started!