Build a rain garden that swallows the roof water at an invited Olivehurst home

Olivehurst's flat lots pond water they could be soaking into the ground instead. A rain garden — a planted shallow basin dug at the right spot and fed by the redirected downspout — turns a soggy yard problem into infiltration and habitat. Each one built keeps hundreds of gallons per storm out of streets that flood. Standard: EPA rain-garden design practice (basin sized to roof area, 10 ft from foundations); SDG 6 Clean Water, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities. Proof: Photos of dug basin, planting, and inflow test with GPS/date Method (EPA rain-garden design practice (basin sized to roof area, 10 ft from foundations); SDG 6 Clean Water, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities.): 1. Site the basin with the host at least 10 feet from foundations, confirming 811 marking first. 2. Dig the shallow basin with gently sloped sides and berm the downhill edge with the removed soil. 3. Amend the basin bottom with compost and set the downspout or extension feed into it. 4. Plant water-tolerant natives in the basin and drought-tolerant on the berm, then mulch. 5. Hose-test the inflow, verify holding and draining, and photograph the finished garden, recording with GPS and date. Done when: Photos of dug basin, planting, and inflow test with GPS/date

Where

Host-invited yard near Powerline Rd area, Olivehurst, CA 95961

Pay

$392 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Photos of dug basin, planting, and inflow test with GPS/date

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-02

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–75 minutes. Method of record: EPA green-infrastructure inspection (bioretention / bioswale / permeable pavement function + maintenance)

Bring

• measuring tape
• GPS phone
• camera
• trowel / probe
• data sheet
• gloves

Steps

1. 1. Locate the GI asset; record GPS; identify the type (rain garden / bioswale / permeable pavement / tree filter).
2. 2. Photograph the asset, its inlet, and its outlet/overflow.
3. 3. Check the inlet and outlet for blockage (sediment, trash, mulch) and note whether flow can enter/leave freely.
4. 4. Check for standing water and estimate whether it drains within the design window (typically <24-48h after rain); probe media if dry.
5. 5. Assess vegetation/media condition and estimate sediment/trash accumulation depth.
6. 6. Note erosion, bypass, or structural damage and list the maintenance needed.
7. 7. Enter asset type, condition, inlet/outlet status, drainage observation, sediment level, maintenance needs, GPS, photos; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Standing water persists > 48h after rain -> flag failed infiltration (clogged media) for rehab.
• Inlet or outlet blocked -> flag for cleaning; the asset isn't capturing runoff.
• Erosion, undercutting, or flow bypassing the asset -> flag for repair.
• Documentation only — no digging out media or altering structures.

What counts as done

• Asset type + overall condition recorded
• Inlet + outlet clear/blocked status recorded
• Standing-water / infiltration observation recorded
• Sediment/trash level + maintenance recommendations + GPS + photos

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.