How to Recharge Groundwater
Every day millions of gallons of groundwater are used for activities that include washing, drinking and irrigating. When rain falls or snow melts, the moisture is used to recharge, or replace, the groundwater. You can help recharge the groundwater by building a small rain garden in your backyard. Read on to learn more.
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Instructions
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Select the location for your rain garden, by watching to see where the natural runoff flows after a storm. To most effectively recharge the groundwater, it should be placed between the source of the runoff and its final destination.
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Outline the area where you want to put your rain garden with a garden hose and start digging. For best groundwater recharge, your garden should be 4 to 6 inches deep, with a slightly deeper spot in the center.
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Pile the soil that has been dug out along the downhill side of your rain garden. This will be planted with grass to prevent erosion.
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Line the hole with two inches of gravel. This will encourage drainage and direct the runoff deeper into the ground.
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Cover the gravel layer with two inches of topsoil. Plant native species of shrubs and perennials, to further prevent erosion.
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Complete your rain garden by covering the surface with hardwood mulch that will not float away when it is wet. This mulch will eventually break down and need to be replaced.
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Tips & Warnings
Even a small rain garden can be effective in recharging the groundwater.
