Forebays are a form of pretreatment for open inlets. Energy of the incoming flow is dissipated, causing suspended particles to drop out of the water. These accumulated particles/sediment can then be easily swept or vacuumed during routine maintenance and doesn't end up clogging downstream biomedia or filter material. A well designed forebay will also spread the flow somewhat, reducing erosion around the inlet.</p>
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Forebays are a form of pretreatment for open inlets. Energy of the incoming flow is dissipated, causing suspended particles to drop out of the water. These accumulated particles/sediment can then be easily swept or vacuumed during routine maintenance and doesn't end up clogging downstream biomedia or filter material. </p>
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<p>A well designed forebay will also spread the flow somewhat, reducing erosion around the inlet. One effective way of achieving this is by surrounding the pad with some level spreader on all sides. The level spreading could take the form of a shard crested weir in metal or concrete, or be more like a soft edged, rocky check dam.
Forebay AV.jpg| Forebay connected to drainage area in the roadway with a curb cut, overflow visible in the centre of forebay area, Milwaukee, WI
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Forebay AV.jpg| Forebay connected to drainage area in the roadway with a curb cut, overflow visible in the centre of forebay area, level spreading is encouraged with the rock check dams, Milwaukee, WI