Innovative Flood System Helps Protect Detroit Lakes

Detroit Lakes is no stranger to heavy rain and flooding.

About seven inches of rain fell in parts of the city last night resulting in dangerous road conditions.

But the flood waters didn’t hang around for too long and officials say it’s thanks to the city’s infrastructure.

City Park, the site of the annual Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes, was underwater itself for much of last night.

“We had about 4 to 5 inches of rain within the city itself which was more than our underground systems could handle so there was some ponding and pooling which is what it’s designed to do,” said Detroit Lakes Public Works Director Brad Green.

After the storm clouds cleared, it didn’t take long for the majority of the waters to drain, especially near the pavilion in the park.

Officials say it’s because of the Rain Garden, an innovative system put in place by the city.

These rain gardens consist of native plants with deep roots which helps absorb rain and flood water into the ground at a higher rate.

“The rain garden in City Park is the first one built by the city of Detroit Lakes.

The city currently has plans to build another in the park to help drain flooded areas and help keep the lake clean.

Green said one of the main focuses of the city is to take care of their lakes that bring tourists to the community.

The rain gardens help filter the rain water before it enters the lakes which helps prevent algae blooms.

“It pretreats the water as it goes down so it removes a lot of nutrients phosphates that kind of stuff,” Green said.

Those aren’t the only benefits to these gardens either.

City workers often have to come out to help drain flood waters in the designated flood zones.

Green said, “Hopefully we do enough of them [rain gardens] that we eliminate the need because the streets are also some storage for us. We’d just soon throw it in the streets between the curb lines than in somebody’s yard or in their house.”

While the city has plans to build at least two new rain gardens, some citizens are worried they won’t be built soon enough.

“The problem is you know they’re short staffed and they’re very very busy and this takes a lot of hard work. We spent a lot of time planning and building this but absolutely they could do more if they had more staff for natural things,” said Sally Hausken a local environmental volunteer.

Most rain gardens in the area are actually owned privately.

It’s a great way to help prevent floods, remove pollution from your local water systems and plus they look great too!

If you’re interested in growing your own rain garden just follow this link for an in depth instruction manual.