Changes

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 structure is similar to a [[Bioretention cells|bioretention cell]] but with a long linear shape (surface area typically >2:1 length:width),<br>

<strong>[[Bioswales]]</strong> are sometimes referred to as 'dry swales', 'vegetated swales', or 'water quality swales'. This type of structure is similar to a [[Bioretention cells|bioretention cell]] but with a long linear shape (surface area typically >2:1 length:width),<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.

<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>

<strong>[[Retention Swales]]</strong> can be imagined as linear, sloped [[dry ponds]]. Their effectiveness is lower than many BMPs, but they may feature as part of a site-wide treatment train approach.   

<strong>[[Retention swales]]</strong> can be imagined as linear, sloped [[dry ponds]]. Their effectiveness is lower than many BMPs, but they may feature as part of a site-wide treatment train approach.   

{{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