This once steep grass swale in Coldstream is now a more gentle rock swale with several check dams . It ’ s planted with various native perennials chosen for their ability to stabilize the slope and handle an occasional deluge of stormwater . It ’ s a graceful waterfall during heavy rain while effectively slowing runoff allowing it to perk through to the ground water rather than speed , unfiltered into the lake
This stand of native perennials including common milkweed , bee balm , goldenrod and echinacea on a garden berm in Pinehurst is a perfect nursery for Monarch butterflies . It also helps slow and filter stormwater runoff .
This North Shore rain garden on LLA land naturally filters several hundred gallons of rainwater during a big storm and slows flow to help keep it out of the lake . The roots of native shrubs and flowers absorb the rainfall and filter it . Many of the plants serve double duty as they are also sources of food for pollinators .
This Coldstream Trail Buffer Garden established in October of 2016 on LLA land , demonstrates a simple yet effective design done with native plants . It took several years for it to fill in and establish but the results are lovely . It will continue to fill in while helping to hold the hill and filter the runoff from above thus keeping it out of the lake .
28 LakeTalk August 2022