Rain Garden Control Study on Siringo Road Advances Stormwater Innovation

The City of Santa Fe's River and Watershed Section, in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Biology Department and The RainCatcher, Inc., has launched a pilot study to improve how the city manages stormwater.

Five specialized rain garden basins have been installed along Siringo Road between Pacheco Street and Calle Contenta as part of the city's "Runoff to Roots" campaign. These basins are designed to capture and store stormwater runoff while collecting detailed data on how water moves through soil at different depths.

Over the next two years, the study will evaluate how effectively these systems retain moisture, filter pollutants, and support groundwater recharge. The results will help guide future landscape design and water management strategies across Santa Fe.

"This data is the foundation for planning a more resilient city," said Zoe Isaacson, River and Watershed Manager. "By understanding exactly how much water is available and for how long, we can select the most resilient combinations of plants and fungi for our parks and open spaces, ensuring that every gallon of rain helps grow a cleaner and greener Santa Fe without the need for supplemental water sources."

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