Howard Run is a tributary of the Blanchard River, and it has been identified by the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership as a target for controlling and reducing sediment and nutrient loading from stormwater inputs. Howard Run flows through the campus of the University of Findlay on it's way to the Blanchard River, and it's watershed includes a large portion of northern parts of the City of Findlay.

The purpose of the raingarden and associated riparian forest restoration is to trap urban pollution (nutrients, sediments, and phosphorus) from stormwater, and to reduce the rate at which water flows into the Blanchard River. Although this small project will not influence large flood events, it represents a small contribution and serves as a demonstration site for possible solutions to flooding and sediment reduction for the City of Findlay.

This project is the first of three phases to improve the function and aesthetics of Howard Run as it flows through UF's campus.

Construction of the raingarden and restoration of riparian forest habitat is funded by the US EPA's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, provided as a subgrant from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. Through this grant program, GLRI and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission work to reduce nutrient pollution, eutrophication ,and harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The University of Findlay is proud to work with the Lake Erie Commission and the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership to contribute to solutions for cleaner water and a healthier ecosystem.

Many thanks go to Lauren Sandhu, watershed coordinator at the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership, for spearheading this project and preparing the grant application, including the required management plan for the Howard Run watershed. Thanks also go to Greg Burks from the Hancock Soil and Water Conservation District for site plans and engineering drawings.

Yes! Faculty from the College of Sciences at the University of Findlay are working to involve students in a variety of ways. Students in courses as diverse as Introduction to Biology, Conservation Biology, and Crop and Forage Production will use the raingarden as a case study for learning about wetland function and their importance for flood and nutrient reduction. Upper-level biology students will also have opportunities to conduct research in a wide variety of fields, including water quality, vegetation, and birds.

Students interested in getting involved should contact Dr. Ben Dolan for vegetation work, Dr. Bethany Henderson-Dean for water quality, and Dr. Brandon Gray for birds. Contact info can be found in the UF faculty and staff directory.

Additionally, a limited number of internships in water quality and watershed management are available with the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership. Contact Lauren Sandhu for more information.

Construction for the project will begin the week of May 10, 2021. Excavation, grading, and installation of new drain tiles should be complete by the end of May. Trees and wetland vegetation is scheduled to be installed in early June. A walking path along Howard Run and through the site should be open late Summer 2021. Thanks to a generous donation from Town and Gown, a small seating area will also be placed along the trail.