Bioswales

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Tall Grasses / VegetationTall Grasses / VegetationTall Grasses / VegetationRiver RockRiver RockMulchMulchCheck DamsCheck DamsFilter MediaFilter MediaFilter MediaReservoir AggregateUnderdrainNative Soil
Bioswale with check dams, to facilitate short-term ponding (vertical scale exaggerated for diagram), graded sloped channel, mulch preserve soil moisture for plant survival to maintain the organic matter content of underlying filter media, filter media and vegetation to promote infiltration into the facility, an underdrain and river rock/stone to reduce flow velocity and erosion potential within the facility. A note: The following is an "image map", feel free to explore the image with your cursor and click on highlighted labels that appear to take you to corresponding pages on the Wiki.


  • This article is about installations designed to capture and convey surface runoff along a vegetated channel, whilst also promoting infiltration.
  • For underground conveyance which promotes infiltration, see Exfiltration trenches.
  • For design recommendations on channels in which surface flow is controlled with check dams, see Enhanced swales.

Overview[edit]

Similar to swales, biofilters, enhanced grassed swales, and bioretention, bioswales are long vegetated open channels trapezoidal channels which are designed to treat, convey, infiltrate, and attenuate incoming stormwater runoff. Similar to roadside ditches, they are predominately used to help direct large stormwater flow volume from a large catchment area (i.e., road, parking lot, property) to a connected discharge point (i.e. overflow outlet connected to the municipal storm sewer system, or to another LID BMP). Bioswales with the optional use of check dams can also slow and clean suspended sediments along the practice's sloped channel, while also allowing water to infiltrate through the system to an associated underdrain system below (Capital Regional District (CRD), n.d.)[1]

There are several design variations of the bioswales, which include:

Bioswale vegetation is generally lawn grasses, but there are numerous variations that include: perennials, shrubs, small trees and various plants or [[river rock] that allow the practice to still effectively infiltrate and convey incoming stormwater runoff (Capital Regional District (CRD), n.d.)[1].

Take a look at the downloadable Enhanced Grass Swales Factsheet, which includes details about bioswales below for a .pdf overview of this LID Best Management Practice:

Enhanced swale.png


The fundamental components of a bioswale are:

  • A graded channel
  • Planting
  • Underdrain with clean out and inspection ports
  • Filter media, to permit infiltration into the facility (not necessarily to soils below)

Additional components may include:

Planning considerations[edit]

Bioswales are sized as narrow linear bioretention cells. Drainage time of bioswales is typically lower than other geometric configurations of similarly sized bioretention facilities, owing to the higher hydraulic radius of the sides.

For more information on planning considerations and site constraints see Bioretention. For a table summarizing information on planning considerations and site constraints see Site considerations.

Design[edit]

Bioretention: Sizing

Inlets[edit]

Inlets for BMPs in the right of way should be located:

  • At all sag points in the gutter grade
  • Immediately upgrade of median breaks, crosswalks, and street intersections.

It is recommended to include multiple inlets, sized to distribute inflow along the length of the practice or between multiple facilities, where feasible, rather than concentrating all inflow into a single location. (Offline overflow).

Trench drains[edit]

Trench drains are long, covered channels that collect and direct water into the BMP. They are an excellent solution for streets where walking across the entire surface is to be encouraged. They can be designed as detectable edges or part of a detectable edge, and may be used to help define curbless or 'complete streets'.

Trenches may either be shallow (where runoff volume is less of an issue) or deep and covered by a metal grate. Deeper trench drains may gather sediment and require frequent maintenance.

Drains may be configured either perpendicular or parallel to the flow direction of the roadway, collecting runoff and directing to a single inlet in the BMP.

Curb cuts[edit]

Curb cuts are breaks along the length of a curb system to allow water to flow into a LID/BMP.

Inlet aprons or depressions increase inflow effectiveness of curb cuts. Steeply angled aprons can be hazardous, especially to people bicycling. Curbside and protected bike lanes along concrete aprons should be at least 1.8 m to give cyclists adequate clear width from the curb and any pavement seams. Aprons can also be marked visually to indicate their perimeter. For aprons into bioretention, the curb may angle into the cell to improve conveyance of gutter flow into the facility. Aprons typically drop 50 mm into the bioretention cell, with another 50 mm drop behind the curb to maintain inflow as debris collects. A depressed concrete apron can be cast in place or retrofitted in by grinding down the existing concrete pavement.

Where the curb alignment along the street is straight, the curb opening may optionally have a bar across the top of the inlet.

Inlet sumps[edit]

An inlet sump is recommended to settle and separate sediments from runoff where a large amount of debris is expected. Water drains into a catch basin, where debris settles in its sump. After pretreatment, water drains via a pipe or opening into the BMP. The sump can be directly connected to a perforated underdrain pipe to distribute the flow to the bioretention, supported soil cells or underground practices such as trenches or chambers.

Sump inlets should not be sited where pedestrians will have to negotiate with them.

Depressed drains[edit]

Runoff in the gutter drops into a grate-covered drain before flowing into the BMP. Drain covers must be compatible with bicycling and walking; grid covers are preferred. Depressed drains are a potential solution for bioretention cells on sloped streets where directing runoff into the cell is a challenge.

This style of inlet can be combined with a curb cut, to maintain capacity in case debris clogs the grate.

Conceptual diagram of the excess routing alternatives: On the left, excess flow leaves the bioswale via an overflow; on the right, excess flow is diverted so that only the design volume enters the cell.

Overflow[edit]

Routing[edit]

  • Infiltration facilities can be designed to be inline or offline from the drainage system. See figure to the right for an illustration.
  • Inline facilities accept all of the flow from a drainage area and convey larger event flows through an overflow outlet. The overflow must be sized to safely convey larger storm events out of the facility. The overflow must be situated at the maximum surface ponding elevation or furthest downgradient end of the facility to limit surface ponding during periods of flow in excess of the facility storage capacity.
  • Offline facilities use flow splitters or bypass channels that only allow the design storm runoff storage volume to enter the facility. Higher flows are conveyed to a downstream storm sewer or other BMP by a flow splitting manhole weir or pipe, or when the maximum surface ponding depth has been reached, by by-passing the curb opening and flowing into a downstream catchbasin connected to a storm sewer.

Overflow Elevation[edit]

The invert of the overflow should be placed at the maximum water surface elevation of the practice (i.e. the maximum surface ponding level). A good starting point is 150 to 350 mm above the surface of the mulch cover. However, consideration should be given to public safety, whether or not an underdrain is included, the time required for ponded water to drain through the filter bed surface, and if no underdrain is present, into the underlying native soil (must drain within 48 hours). See Bioretention: Sizing for more details.

Freeboard[edit]

  • In swales conveying flowing water a freeboard of 300 mm is generally accepted as a good starting point.
  • In bioretention the freeboard is the difference between the invert elevation of the inlet and overflow structure. 150 mm will usually suffice, so long as the inlet will not become inundated during design storm conditions.
  • In above grade stormwater planters, the equivalent dimension would be the difference between the invert elevation of the lip of the planter and the overflow structure (150 mm minimum).

Overflow Outlet Options[edit]

Metal grates are recommended (over plastic) in all situations.

Feature Anti Vandalism/Robust Lower Cost Option Self cleaning
Dome grate x
Flat grate x
Catch basin x
Ditch inlet catch basin x x
Curb cut x x x

Inspection and Maintenance[edit]

Maintenance requirements for bioswales is similar to [[swales00 and bioretention. It typically involve a low level of activity after vegetation becomes established. Grass channel maintenance procedures are already in place at many municipal public works and transportation departments. These procedures should be compared to the recommendations provided on the Inspection and Maintenance: Enhanced Swales page to assure that the infiltration and water quality benefits of enhanced grass swales are preserved.

Meanwhile, bioswales also require regular weeding, pruning, and mulching, similar to other landscaped areas, as well as the removal of trash, debris and sediment accumulated in pretreatment areas, inlets and outlets.

Inspections should occur twice annually (spring and late fall) and after major storm events. Inspect for vegetation density (≥ 80% coverage), damage by foot or vehicle traffic, erosion, debris and sediment accumulation, and damage to any pretreatment devices.

Cleanouts and access points should be provided to allow clean-out of the underdrain and overflow pipe. Camera inspection of these pipes should be conducted every 5 years to ensure pipes are free of roots, sediment and debris. Hydraulic flushing or root removal may be needed to clear debris or obstructions.


Take a look at the Inspection and Maintenance: Bioretention & Bioswales page and theInspection and Maintenance: Enhanced Swales page by clicking below for further details about proper inspection and maintenance practices:

Cover Photo.PNG link=https://wiki.sustainabletechnologies.ca/index.php title=Inspection_and_Maintenance:_Enhanced_Swales&action=edit

Materials[edit]

All forms of bioretention are complex in their structure, so please follow separate links for the materials.

Gallery[edit]

Planting Design Considerations[edit]

  • Where possible a combination of native trees, shrubs and perennial herbs should be used in addition to grasses.
  • Most bioswales will be situated to receive full sun exposure. The ‘Exposure’ column in the master plant list identifies the sun exposure condition for each species.
  • Facilities with a deeper media bed (greater than 1 m) provide the opportunity for a wider range of plant species (including trees).
  • For applications along roads and parking lots, where snow may be plowed or stored, non-woody and salt tolerant species should be chosen.
  • Proper spacing must be provided for aboveground and below ground utilities, and adjacent infrastructure.


For adoption on residential properties see Rain Gardens or TRCA's A Complete Guide to Maintaining a Rain Garden

Performance[edit]

While few field studies of the pollutant removal capacity of bioswales are available from cold climate regions like Ontario, it can be assumed that they would perform similar to bioretention cells. Bioretention provides effective removal for many pollutants as a result of sedimentation, filtering, plant uptake, soil adsorption, and microbial processes. It is important to note that there is a relationship between the water balance and water quality functions. If a bioswale infiltrates and evaporates 100% of the flow from a site, then there is essentially no pollution leaving the site in surface runoff. Furthermore, treatment of infiltrated runoff will continue to occur as it moves through the native soils.

Volumetric runoff reduction from bioswales
LID Practice Location Runoff Reduction* Reference
Bioswale without underdrain Washington 98% Horner et al. (2003)[8]
Scotland 94% Jefferies (2005)[9]
Bioswale with Underdrain Maryland 46 to 54% Stagge (2006)[10]
Bioretention without underdrain China 85 to 100%* Gao, et al. (2018)[11]
Connecticut 99% Dietz and Clausen (2005) [12]
Pennsylvania 80% Ermilio (2005)[13]
Pennsylvania 70% Emerson and Traver (2004)[14]
Bioretention with underdrain
Ontario 64% CVC (2020)[15]
Maryland and North Carolina 20 to 50% Li et al. (2009) [16]
North Carolina 40 to 60% Smith and Hunt (2007)[17]
North Carolina 33 to 50% Hunt and Lord (2006) [18]
Runoff Reduction Estimate* 85% without underdrain;

45% with underdrain

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Capital Regional District (CRD). n.d. Bioswales. Stormwater, Wastewater & Septic > Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022. https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/stormwater-wastewater-septic/green-stormwater-infrastructure/bioswales
  2. Mullen, T.J. Prioritizing trash capture and clean oceans: Stormwater hoods and traps lead the way in effectiveness. The Municipal magazine. June 1, 2022. Accessed: https://www.themunicipal.com/2022/06/prioritizing-trash-capture-and-clean-oceans-stormwater-hoods-and-traps-lead-the-way-in-effectiveness/
  3. Erickson, A.J. and Hernick, M.A., 2019. Capture of Gross Solids and Sediment by Pretreatment Practices for Bioretention. Accessed: https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/201607
  4. Halvorson, Tighe & Bond Studio. n.d. Halvorson, Tighe & Bond Studio. Retrieved from: https://www.halvorsondesign.com/willard-street-drainage
  5. Philadelphia Water Department. n.d. Chapter 4 Stormwater Management Practice Guidance 4.1 Bioinfiltration/Bioretention. Retrieved from: https://water.phila.gov/development/stormwater-plan-review/manual/chapter-4/4-1-bioinfiltration-bioretention/
  6. National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). 2017. Urban Street Stormwater Guide - Inlet Design. Retrieved from: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-stormwater-guide/stormwater-elements/bioretention-design-considerations/inlet-design/
  7. Philadelphia Water Department. 2020. Stormwater Management Guidance Manual: Version 3.2. Accessed from: https://www.pwdplanreview.org/upload/manual_pdfs/PWD-SMGM-v3.2-20201001.pdf
  8. Horner RR, Lim H, Burges SJ. HYDROLOGIC MONITORING OF THE SEATTLE ULTRA-URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS: SUMMARY OF THE 2000-2003 WATER YEARS. Seattle; 2004. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.365.8665&rep=rep1&type=pdf. Accessed August 11, 2017.
  9. Jefferies, C. 2004. Sustainable drainage systems in Scotland: the monitoring programme. Scottish Universities SUDS Monitoring Project. Dundee, Scotland. https://www.climatescan.nl/uploads/projects/8126/files/1277/SNIFFERSR_02_51MainReport.pdf
  10. Stagge, J. 2006. Field evaluation of hydrologic and water quality benefits of grass swales for managing highway runoff. Master of Science Thesis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland. https://drum.lib.umd.edu/items/42be6ce6-e4ef-4162-a991-c273607d422d
  11. Gao, J., Pan, J., Hu, N. and Xie, C., 2018. Hydrologic performance of bioretention in an expressway service area. Water Science and Technology, 77(7), pp.1829-1837.
  12. Dietz, M.E. and J.C. Clausen. 2005. A field evaluation of rain garden flow and pollutant treatment. Water Air and Soil Pollution. Vol. 167. No. 2. pp. 201-208. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.365.9417&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  13. Ermilio, J.F., 2005. Characterization study of a bio-infiltration stormwater BMP (Doctoral dissertation, Villanova University). https://www1.villanova.edu/content/dam/villanova/engineering/vcase/vusp/Ermilio-Thesis06.pdf
  14. Emerson, C., Traver, R. 2004. The Villanova Bio-infiltration Traffic Island: Project Overview. Proceedings of 2004 World Water and Environmental Resources Congress (EWRI/ASCE). Salt Lake City, Utah, June 22 – July 1, 2004. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784407370
  15. Credit Valley Conservation. 2020. IMAX Low Impact Development Feature Performance Assessment. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2022/03/rpt_IMAXreport_f_20220222.pdf
  16. Li, H., Sharkey, L.J., Hunt, W.F., and Davis, A.P. 2009. Mitigation of Impervious Surface Hydrology Using Bioretention in North Carolina and Maryland. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. Vol. 14. No. 4. pp. 407-415.
  17. Smith, R and W. Hunt. 2007. Pollutant removals in bioretention cells with grass cover. Proceedings 2nd National Low Impact Development Conference. Wilmington, NC. March 13-15, 2007.
  18. Hunt, W.F. and Lord, W.G. 2006. Bioretention Performance, Design, Construction, and Maintenance. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin. Urban Waterways Series. AG-588-5. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, NC.