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"I picked up my first barrel on 8/16/08 like lots of others, but never installed it until this weekend just before the heavy rainstorm. What fun it was to watch and to my surprise it filled up VERY QUICKLY. I was hopeful that I would get the level above the first valve and it was overflowing before I knew it. We then had plenty to water the covered plants and wash the cars. I have been spreading the word and I know at least two others that will be calling you. Thanks as I have been looking for some way to catch the RAIN water for years. While I collected 60 gallons my wife collected only 2 inches in her watering can...COOL!"

John M., Amherst, NY

Rain Barrel Owner since 2008

Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens

About Rain Barrels

Rain Barrels are an important way for residents of Buffalo, Erie, and Niagara Counties to save water and reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering our streams, creeks, rivers, and Lake Erie.  Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER has a goal of distributing 1000 rain barrels annually to Erie and Niagara Counties.  Help us Keep the Rain from the Drain! 

RIVERKEEPER rain barrels have the capacity to hold 60 gallons of rain water, stand 39" tall by 24" wide, and weigh approximately 20 lbs. empty.  Colors are available in Earth Brown, Forest Green, and Nantucket Gray.  Built with a durable wall with a thickness of 3/16", these barrels are one of the most durable on the market.  Each UV protected polyethylene barrel is made in the USA from a recycled food grade shipping barrel. 

Your rain barrel comes complete with installation instructions, overflow fitting, drain plug, screw on cover with a mosquito-preventing screen, and a threaded spigot positioned 14" from ground level. 

For more information, please see our FAQ--Frequently Asked Questions sheet. We hope you find it helpful and informative.

Payment

Please order your barrel by July 17, 2009 for delivery on August 8, 2009. We have no more in stock.

Pick up on May 23rd will be between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Purchase for $99.95 plus tax.  For purchases of 10 barrels or more, you will receive a 10% group discount!    

Rain barrels may be purchased by:

- Go online by credit card (American Express, Visa, or Master Card) Order Now [link to order form]

- Mail in a completed order form [link to order form] with a check made payable to Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

- Pay with cash in person at our regular office hours between Monday – Friday 9 am-4:30 pm (excluding holidays).   

To pay in person or mail check to:  Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER attn Rain Barrels, 1250 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14213. 

As rain barrels are recycled and transported with limited packaging, they may have small blemishes.  All sales are final.  There will be a $35 fee on all returned checks.   

Rain Barrel Pickup

Please call (716) 852-7483 to schedule your rain barrel pick up.  Barrels that are not picked up within two weeks of your scheduled time will be returned to inventory.  The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper office is located at 1250 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 and is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 4:30pm.

Directions to Pickup:

For a Mapquest map, click here

From the North:  Take I-190 to Ontario St. exit.  Turn right onto Ontario Street.  Turn right onto Niagara Street.  The RIVERKEEPER office is a brick building on the right between the between Auburn and Breckenridge cross streets. 

From the South:  Take I-190 to Niagara Street exit.  The RIVERKEEPER office is a brick building on the left between the between Auburn and Breckenridge cross streets.    

Transporting Your Barrel

Please bring a vehicle large enough to safely transport your rain barrels.  The vehicle should be able to fit a 39” tall by 24” wide barrel.  Some older cars may accommodate one barrel in the back seat.  You are responsible for loading rain barrels into your vehicle.  Riverkeeper is not responsible for any damage to the barrel or to vehicle while loading or transporting the barrel.  We do not offer delivery services at this time.

Thanks to our sponsor! 

Riverkeeper Rain Barrel Program has been made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.  We also thank graphic illustrator Tom Fitch for his support.

Questions?

Please contact Kerri Bentkowski at (716) 852-7483 or email kbentkowski@bnriverkeeper.org. 

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Crane Branch Library Rain Garden

On Friday, June 12th, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER and community volunteers will plant rain garden at the Crane Branch Library in the heart of the Elmwood Village area of the City of Buffalo.  Volunteers will be planting native species of flowers, shrubs, and trees to create a demonstration model of low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping.  The rain garden is designed to infiltrate the runoff from the canopy at the library’s entrance.    

Spearheaded by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER, the rain garden is a collaboration between the Green Team of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and Crane Branch Library, Elmwood Village Association Green Committee, and Premium Services Inc., who will perform the installation with assistance from volunteers.  Landscape architects Joy Kuebler, Landscape Architect, PC, Renatta Kraft of Micro Parks, and Lynda Schneekloth have also contributed to the project with technical assistance and guidance in plant selection.     

This project was funded by the generosity of the Vogt Family Foundation.

What is the Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a planted, depressed area in the ground that infiltrates stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs, walkways, streets and roads, and compacted lawn areas. 

What are the benefits?

Rain gardens help to improve the water quality and water quantity in our streams, creeks, and rivers.  Rain gardens:

•         Increase the amount of water that filters into the ground which can recharge local aquifer

•         Protect from flooding & help drainage

•         Remove pollutants in runoff before reaching our streams, rivers, and lakes

•         Help to reduce volume of urban stormwater in sewers to reduce occurrence of combined sewer overflows

•         Native plants attract wildlife

Do rain gardens work in Buffalo? 

Yes!  Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have demonstrated that rain gardens continue to infiltrate in winter.  You can even put your snow on top of the rain garden.

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center

http://www.unh.edu/erg/cstev/

How can I get more information on rain gardens?

Erie County Rain Garden Guide

http://www.erie.gov/environment/pdfs/rain_garden_booklet.pdf

University of Wisconsin Rain Garden How-To Manuel

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/GWQ037.pdf

Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Gardens Project

http://www.rainkc.com/

West Michigan’s Rain Gardens

http://www.raingardens.org/

Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners

http://www.pierce.wsu.edu/Water_Quality/LID/Raingarden_handbook.pdf

http://www.topnotchtree.com/Assets/RG_house3Dgrass-jen.gif  (photo credit)