A Rain Garden

This naturalistic planting functions as a stormwater detention system. It is comprised of two shallow basins that capture and store stormwater and allows it to gradually seep into the ground instead of rapidly flowing in a stream down the steep hill and potentially causing channel erosion. This beautifully designed garden showcases how a garden can be both beautiful and hard-working.

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How it Works

Stormwater from the nearby road drains into a catchbasin and flows in an underground pipe to the first basin and, during heavier rains, the water overflows to a shallow grassed swale then into the lower basin.

Green Infrastructure

This garden is one of many examples of green infrastructure, which integrates natural systems into the built environment, displayed throughout Cornell Botanic Gardens.

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