Give a Lents roof's rain to a planter instead of the flooded street

Every Lents roof that pipes its rain to the street adds water to a neighborhood that already floods from Johnson Creek. A disconnected downspout feeding a simple rain planter keeps that water on the lot, slows the street surge, and grows something. Invited single-story homes only. Standard: Portland BES downspout disconnection + rain planter guidance; SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Proof: photos of the planter, redirected downspout, and passing overflow test Method (Portland BES downspout disconnection + rain planter guidance; SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).): 1. Confirm the host's invitation and check that the planter site sits at least 6 feet from the foundation with overflow to a safe area. 2. Build or place the planter box with liner, gravel base, soil mix, and overflow outlet per the city guidance. 3. Cut and redirect the downspout into the planter with an elbow and diverter. 4. Plant the moisture-tolerant plant list and test with a hose to confirm the overflow path. 5. Photograph the finished planter, downspout connection, and overflow test, GPS-tagged and dated. Done when: photos of the planter, redirected downspout, and passing overflow test

Where

Invited single-story homes near SE Woodstock Blvd & SE 101st Ave, Portland, OR 97266

Pay

$380 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 the planter, redirected downspout, and passing overflow test

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

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-18

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.