My wife Gail and I decided to take a week off in Northern Michigan, enjoying the natural beauty and visiting the numerous wineries (some of which work with our sister company, miwinebarrel). We checked into The Inn at Torch Lake , a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Alden, MI. While walking through town we came across the Spencer Creek Rain Garden.
Rain Gardens are nothing new to Maxi Container and mirainbarrel. As part of working with the Sierra Club Great Lakes Program we have learned quite a bit about rain gardens as a way, combined with our rain barrels of reducing storm water runoff into our streams, rivers and lakes. How surprised I was to see one, along a busy road, next to a bar, in Alden, MI. But, like many things, there is a story here.
As Priscilla Miller mentions in her article “The issue of storm water runoff from the roadway into the creek which flows into Torch Lake had been a concern of the Water Quality Protection Project for some time.” After a grant was acquired from the DEQ, the Alden State Bank, the Alden Bar & Grill, Bruce’s Excavating & Landscaping and the Alden Volunteers partnered with the Antrim Conservation District to build the Spencer Creek Rain Garden.
pThe Rain Garden reduces pollution of lakes and streams by using native plants to capture storm water and slowly filter into the ground so that it does not drain directly into the creek.
Here are some pictures of the completed Spencer Creek Rain Garden.
For more information on Rain Gardens please feel to contact Joshua@mirainbarrel.com or download the rain garden guide from the Sierra Club Great Lakes Program Sierra Club Rain Garden Guide.
