utilities, andthatitisnotnearasepticdrainfi Make sure thatthegarden isatleast10feetfrom anybuilding,thatitisnotontopof the yard. Where thewatercollectsasitisdrainingwouldbeagoodlocationforraingarden. pump. If theselocationsare not options,duringthenextrain,watchdrainagepatternsof is forthegarden tobepositionedneararunoff Th also increase theroot depthoflawnaround theraingarden. more water. Th in runoff the nutrientsandchemicalsfoundinstormwaterrunoff Compared toaconventional lawn,araingarden iseff account forupto70percent ofallwaterpollution. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) estimatesthatthepollutantscarriedby stormwater to infi the stormdrainsystem.Th the garden area. Deep rooted native plantsstabilize thesoilreducing erosion ofsedimentsinto habitat ofbirds andbenefi Th to absorb, fi native plantsandgrasses.Araingarden isnotawatergarden, wetland, orpond.It isdesigned What isaraingarden? Araingarden isashallow depression thatisplantedwithdeeprooted water conservation? With aRainGarden! irrigation systems,andrunoff water beingwastedduringthesummermonthsduetoover watering,ineffi Th thescorching heat. lawns tohelptheirbeautifullandscapesurvive wateringtheir out,manypeoplewillstart As thesummersunheatsupandourlawnsdry garden tofi Since raingardens are locatedinashallow depression, theyretain stormwaterallowing the ere are somebasicguidelinestoinstallingaraingarden. Th ere are several benefi eaverage lawn consumes10,000gallonsofwaterayear withupto70percent ofthat Raining Beauty April - June 2012 ltrate deeper into the soil. ltrate deeperinto thesoil. . Not onlydoesthegarden reduce pollutionbutitalsoabsorbsupto30percent lter somepollutantsfrom therunoff lter, andreduce thefl isfactalone,notonlyincreases theroot depthof thenative plants,butitwill Upcoming Events D. Demarest Story Raining Beauty This Issue: ts toraingardens. By usingnative plantsinthegarden, itrestores the cial insectsthatreduce theamountofpestsandharmfulinsectsfrom eroots willhelptobreak uphard soilstoallow waterandnutrients .So, how canahomeowner combinebeautifullandscapeand ow ofstormwaterrunoff (page 1) (page 2) (page 1) eld. source likeadown orasump spout,driveway aswell asminimizinglocalfl ective inremoving up to90percent of and up to 80 percent of the sediment and up to80percent ofthesediment from theproperty. Rainy Day Ask Trinity Trudy eideallocationforaraingarden (page 4) Continued onpage2 cient operating operating cient ooding. Th (page 3) e What isyour connectiontothe ? ity River Project recreational facilities. range andbenefi extend thecity’s trail systemandenhancethe the Riverfront neighborhood.Th ings, thetrail willattract newdevelopment to facilities, businesses,andresidential dwell- city. Connectingarea hotels,DART, medical andvisitorstothe ecotourism forourcitizens vide recreational andpromote opportunities Strand Trail willimprove airquality, pro- adjacent todowntown . Th along theoriginal Trinity River watercourse, hikeandbiketrail7.8 milenon-motorized andenhancementofa planning, construction of the Trinity Strand Trail tospearheadthe theFriendsof dedicatedindividualsformed oftheBoard.Chairman In 2002,agroup David Demarest, isthe Trinity Strand Trail Story The DavidDemarest My ConnectionWith theTrinity River: out from mywindows perched above this the nearGoat Hill. Looking my residence totheescarpmentalong the Trinity system.Laterinlife,Imoved becamemyadoptedlakesalong Lewisville in architecture. LakeGrapevine andLake careertually landedinDallas withanew Fork derivatives oftheRiver, andIeven- fi or Benbrook Lake.So, mychildhoodaf- any available timeskiingonLake Worth on EagleMountain Lakeandwouldspend on cardboard boxes. Ilearnedtowaterski fall, slidingdown dam thegrassyearthen (West Fork ofthe Trinity River) andinthe summer daywasspentonBenbrook Lake business, asthewaterwasrising.Many a me storiesofstandingontheroof ofhis of thegreat fl ity Park asayoung childandheard stories Trinity River. Ispentalotoftime in Trin- Worth, , withtheClearFork ofthe I amanative Texan andgrew upinFort nities were more forClearFork and West ood of1949.My fathertold ts oftheKaty Trail and Trin- Continued onpage 2 David Demarest eStrand will e Trinity

Raining Beauty Continued from page 1 David Demarest Story Continued from page 1

Now that ideal area has been identifi ed, escarpment; I have a 270 degree view of River. I have learned about the migrating here are the general guidelines to installing which a good portion is to the West and bird species that occupy the Trinity Corri- the rain garden. across the Trinity fl oodplain. It is easy dor and Meanders and why a healthy river to imagine the struggles early Dallas had is paramount to the ecology of our area. • Measure the drainage area to the pro- with the River as the topography gradually posed garden site. Th e garden size should builds itself away from the basin. I am in- How do you think the Trinity Strand has be at least 20 percent of the drainage area. volved with the Trinity Stand Trail which is changes people’s ideas of the Trinity River building a trail along the Old Meanders riv- and Old Meanders? • In a fl at area, the bed depth should be be- erbed. Th is artifact of the Trinity River has tween 12 to 18 inches with a level but not Foremost, I feel the Trinity Strand Trail been reclaimed from public works, where has reunited Dallas with a part of its past. compacted bottom. If there is a slope, the it still provides stormwater management, depth should increase as the slope increased. Eighty plus years ago the Trinity River was but is now being revitalized as a recreation relocated behind a series of levees that, for • Th e bed should have good soil that ab- area for the emerging Design District. Our the most part, hid its existence from the sorbs water quickly. plans have this trail connecting to the Katy citizens of Dallas. Th e Trinity Strand Trail is Trail, as well as the levee system trail, and on reclaiming an artifact of the Old Meanders • Use native plants. Th ese plants are tolerant West Dallas via the Continental Bridge. As of the Texas heat and drought conditions. and this reclamation as a park--complete a Scoutmaster for Troop 718, we do back- with hike and bike trails and a future res- • After the planting, add approximately 3 pack training within the levees at Trammell toration project--will forever remind Dal- inches of mulch to the top of the garden to Crow Park, where there is a 6 mile loop al- las of the natural location of the river prior ready in place. We also have a rescue dog, a aid in water retention. to its relocation a half a mile to the West. Schipperke that befriended my wife Linda Th e eye-beam structure at our Turtle Creek as she was letting the other doggies have A rain garden is an approach to rainwater Plaza gives a visual reference to the scale of some fun within the levees. harvesting that can prevent fl ooding and the 1908 fl ood as it marks the height of the erosion and turn stormwater problems into water during the fl ood. With this reference, What do you think of when you hear water supply assets by slowing run-off and it is easy to imagine the scale the River can allowing it to soak into the ground. Rain someone say, “Th e Trinity River”? swell during a 100 year event. gardens are not ponds. Th ey are usually I think of the vast watershed which makes up the Trinity River and the many branches planted with native vegetation that is hardy What do you want people to know about and attractive. Plants in a rain garden can that eventually become one river as it fl ows into the Gulf of Mexico. Th e management the Trinity River? give color to the landscape at all times of Boundless potential! Opportunities associ- the year. of the River became an engineering solu- tion that created real estate opportunities ated with the Trinity River span the gambit along the reclaimed fl oodway and allowed from entrepreneurial to recreational. It is a To learn more about rain gardens, visit http:// work in progress, one that started 80 plus rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/raingardens/. for a new interstate artery to develop. Dal- las corridor became a City protected by a years ago with George Kessler’s master plan levee system that most folks in Dallas are to the Trinity River Corridor Project. Th ere unaware of. Th e challenge today is to re- is so much inertia behind all of the works unite Dallas with their River and create rec- that have already taken place including reational opportunities within the corridor. those that are just now being implemented, and that is just Dallas. People should be How have you seen the Trinity River and Old aware that the Trinity River is really 5 dif- Meanders change during your time on it? ferent branches, the West Fork, the Clear Upcoming Events I’ve seen a change in attitude about the Fork, the North Wedge, the Elm Fork, and River, and reclaiming a portion of the the East Fork which merge to become the June Meanders for the Trinity Strand Trail is Trinity River. Th e “Trinity River” most contributing to the grass-roots aware- people in Dallas are familiar with is the 20 City of Dallas Stormwater Rules & Elm Fork which is joined with the West Regs: Industrial Workshop ness of the history of the Trinity in Dal- www.wheredoesitgo.com las. We hope to get the message out about Fork near downtown. Dallas’ history is tied the signifi cant history the river has played to the Trinity River with the “white rock 21 Trinity Bird Count Celebration Finale in development of Dallas and now with crossing” of the Trinity River, the location www.trinitybirdcount.com the Trinity River Corridor Projects com- of the easiest passage for wagons to cross the ing on line, the momentum is growing. river before other modes were established. 23 Urban Dash 5K www.fairpark.org Th is is a continuation in a series of articles that fea- It looks like you have spent a lot of time tures local Dallasites and their connection to the Trinity Trinity Bird Count around the Trinity River, what have you River. If you or someone you know wants to be consid- ered as an interview subject in this series, contact us at www.trinitybirdcount.com learned about the river? 214.948.4022 or email [email protected]. Th e Old Meanders is technically a storm- 24-29 Annual EPA Region 6 water sump with the stormwater volume Stormwater Conference http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/ pumped into the river through the Baker npdes/sw/ms4/conference.htm Pump Station. I have learned that the management of the stormwater is criti- July cal to the health and safety of the Dallas residents and that we can partner with the 1 Deadline to enter North Texas Low engineering challenges to bring the river Impact Design Competition back to life by reclaiming and restoring http://www.northtexasgreencouncil. org/index.php/news/chapter-news/243- the Meanders as both a recreational desti- site-landscape/879-north-texas-low- nation as well as an essential piece of the impact-design-competition stormwater management of the Trinity

2 Q: I would like to help bring awareness to stormwater pollution pre- vention in my neighborhood, but the only thing I have planned is a neighborhood cleanup. Is there anything else I could do to help educate my neighborhood?

A: Th e Stormwater Management Outreach Team has many educational opportunities for neighborhoods. As you prepare for your neighborhood cleanup, Stormwater Management is available to meet with your neighbors and educate them on the stormwater benefi ts of their cleanup eff orts. We are also available to make presentations at your neighborhood meetings.

Another awesome stormwater educational opportunity that we off er is our Storm Drain Marking Program. It is a program where volunteers can mark the storm drain inlets in their neighborhoods with a placard that says “No Dumping-Drains to Creek”. Th e colorful placards serve as a friendly reminder that storm drains inlets fl ow directly to our local lakes, rivers, and creeks. Th is volunteer program gives neighbors an opportunity to share in the Storm Drain Marking experience and educate those visiting your neighborhood.

Th e Storm Drain Marking Volunteer Program is FUN and EASY. To learn more, contact the Stormwater Management Outreach Team at [email protected]. 1 If you have a stormwater question for Trinity Trudy, email her at [email protected]. Look for her responses in future issues of “Inside the Inlet.”

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7 DOWN 1. Trash on the ground 2. Trinity Trudy is a . . . 4. Stormwater fl ows into an . . . 5. Rain water is . . . 6. Water that falls from the sky

8. To put or pass through a cycle again 8

ACROSS River 8.

7. Pollutant 7.

3. To use again Rain 6.

5. Stormwater 5. 7. Something that pollutes Inlet 4.

8. The Trinity . . . Reuse 3. y fl Dragon 2.

1. Litter 1. ANSWERS 3 • Be sure not to water your lawn between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Th is is the hottest time of the day. Watering during these hours will cause the water droplets to act as a mag- Saving From nifying lens on the blades of grass causing them to burn. Th e other reason not to water in the heat of the day is to comply with the a Rainy Day City of Dallas’ Water Restrictions. For more information, visit http://savedallaswater. com/ordinance/.

While in the rainy season, a rain barrel is an excellent idea for catching water and us- ing it to water your garden. Th e rain barrel collects rainwater in a sealed container and stores it until the water is needed. Th ink of it as your own personal water tower. Th e With all of the recent rainfall, many people • Take the time to make sure that the wa- rain barrel is attached to the rain gutters of think the water conservation eff orts should ter being used for the lawn is actually being your house to catch the rains that fl ows off end because the reservoirs are full. Al- used on the lawn. When using a sprinkler your roof. Near the bottom of the barrel, though it is good that we are getting so much system, make sure that the sprinkler heads there is a spout to connect to a water hose needed rain now, we know that the rain will are positioned correctly to water the lawn, or fi ll a water pitcher. To learn how to make not last. Th e fact is that many communities not the sidewalk. Th is also holds true for the your own rain barrel, visit http://dallas. were already experiencing drought like con- sprinklers that attach to water hoses. tamu.edu/media/31332/Making%20a%20 ditions and under water restrictions before Rain%20Barrel.pdf. the rainy season. • Many times we overwater our lawns. Ei- ther we are using too much water or we are Th e NEW permanent watering schedule is Outdoor water usage can be more than 50 watering too often. Overwatered lawns are a proactive water conservation measure, as percent of our total summer water use. By a big issue in our city. Many people think opposed to a response to drought condi- controlling this use, we can minimize its im- tions. Th is addition to the existing conser- pact on our current infrastructure and future that they have to water their lawn everyday vation ordinance will help extend our water expansion. to have a nice lawn. Th at is simply not true. Watering the lawn one to two times a week supply and possibly delay the need for more With a few simple steps, you can have a beau- actually helps the grass to grow a deeper root restrictive watering measures when the next tiful lawn, save money, and conserve water. system allowing the grass to grow healthier. drought comes. FYI Readers Stormwater Management is here to serve and meet the needs of our valued readers. For additional information regarding the following:

• General stormwater information • Construction and Industrial workshops • Presentations about stormwater pollution prevention or permitting requirements

Contact us at . . . Stormwater Management 320 E. Jeff erson Blvd., Room 108 Dallas, TX 75203 FACT : (phone) 214-948-4022 (fax) 214-948-4076 Yard waste washed down our storm drainage system is a form (email) [email protected] of pollution and accounts for a fi fth of all garbage gererated in (web) wheredoesitgo.com the U.S. each year.

City of Dallas Yard waste decomposes in local creeks, lakes and the Trinity River causing al- Stormwater Outreach Leadership gae to grow. Kelly High Director Too much algae lowers the amount of oxygen in the water which may suffocate Trinity Watershed Management aquatic and plant life.

Sarah Standifer Did you know sweeping or blowing waste into the street and storm drainage Interim Assistant Director Trinity Watershed Management system could cost you up to $2000? TIPS: Susan Alvarez, P.E. Sweep or blow grass clippings from your sidewalk, driveway, and street back onto your yard. Yard clip- Senior Program Manager pings act as a natural fertilizer. Fallen leaves should be raked or blown from your yard, sidewalk, driveway, and street, collected then Hazel Roper, SPHR bagged and placed for collection during your bulk waste collection week. Program Support and Outreach Manager Compost your grass clippings and leaves; they can serve as a natural fertilizer. Sonya Batts Outreach Program Coordinator 4 Publication No. 11-12:56