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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| Swales are linear landscape features consisting of a drainage channel with gently sloping sides. Underground they may be filled with engineered soil and/or contain a water storage layer of coarse gravel material. Two variations on a basic swale are recommended as low impact development strategies, although using a combination design of both may increase the benefits:<br> | | Swales are linear landscape features consisting of a drainage channel with gently sloping sides. Underground they may be filled with engineered soil and/or contain a water storage layer of coarse gravel material. Two variations on a basic swale are recommended as low impact development strategies, although using a combination design of both may increase the benefits:<br> |
− | <strong>[[Bioswales]]</strong> are sometimes referred to as 'dry swales', 'vegetated swales', or 'water quality swales'. This type of BMP is form of [[bioretention]] with a long linear shape (surface area typically >2:1 length:width) and a slope which convey water,<br>
| + | '''[[Bioswales]]''' are sometimes referred to as 'dry swales', 'vegetated swales', or 'water quality swales'. This type of BMP is form of [[bioretention]] with a long linear shape (surface area typically >2:1 length:width) and a slope which convey water,<br> |
− | <strong>[[Enhanced grass swales]]</strong> are a lower maintenance alternative, but generally have lower stormwater management potential. The enhancement over a basic grass swale is in the addition of check dams to slow surface water flow and create small temporary pools of water which can infiltrate the underlying soil.<br>
| + | '''[[Enhanced grass swales]]''' are a lower maintenance alternative, but generally have lower stormwater management potential. The enhancement over a basic grass swale is in the addition of check dams to slow surface water flow and create small temporary pools of water which can infiltrate the underlying soil.<br> |
− | <strong>[[Retention swales]]</strong> can be imagined as linear, sloped [[dry ponds]]. They make a relatively little contribution to water volume and quality control than many other BMPs, but they may feature as part of a site-wide treatment train approach.
| + | '''[[Retention swales]]''' can be imagined as linear, sloped [[dry ponds]]. They make a relatively little contribution to water volume and quality control than many other BMPs, but they may feature as part of a site-wide treatment train approach. |
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| {{textbox|Swales are an ideal technology for: | | {{textbox|Swales are an ideal technology for: |
| *Sites with long linear landscaped areas, such as parking lots | | *Sites with long linear landscaped areas, such as parking lots |
| *Connecting with one or more other types of LID}} | | *Connecting with one or more other types of LID}} |
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| {|class="wikitable" | | {|class="wikitable" |
| |+ Types of Swale | | |+ Types of Swale |