Page 46 - 7166 - Rain Garden Handbook

Build
40 2 Create a Flat,

Level Bottom

Your rain garden should have a flat, level bottom.
Whichever excavation method is used, dig the
How to Use a Laser Level rain garden so the bottom is flat. An easy way to

1. Set the level up just outside of the determine if the bottom is flat is to use a straight
work area so it is out of the way of board with a carpenter's level on top. Place
construction and has an unobstructed the board at different locations and in various
view of the entire rain garden and the directions and dig or fill areas to get the bottom
planned inflow and overflow locations. flat. A laser level can be used for this as well.
2. For fairly level ground, place the
receiver on the measurement rod at a
height equal to the distance from the
laser to the ground, plus the desired
depth of excavation. Excavate the rain
garden to the depth the receiver beeps.
3. With Method 1 for “Excavation on
Slopes” place the receiver on the
measurement rod at a height equal
to the distance from the laser to the
ground, plus the desired depth of Erica Guttman
excavation at the uphill end. Excavate
the entire bottom of the rain garden
to the depth that the receiver beeps.
4. With Method 2 for “Excavation on
Slopes” place the receiver on the
measurement rod at a height equal
to the distance from the laser to
the ground, plus the desired depth
of excavation at the uphill end.
Excavate the up-slope and fill the
down-slope areas to the depth that
Erica Guttman the receiver beeps. Curtis Hinman