Changes

This article is about installations designed to capture and convey surface runoff along a vegetated channel, whilst also promoting infiltration. <br>

This article is about installations designed to capture and convey surface runoff along a vegetated channel, whilst also promoting infiltration. <br>

For underground conveyance which promotes infiltration, see [[Exfiltration trenches]].

For underground conveyance which promotes infiltration, see [[Exfiltration trenches]].

{{TOClimit|2}}

{{TOClimit|2}}

==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 structure is similar to a [[Bioretention cells|bioretention cell]] but with a long linear shape (surface area typically >2:1 length:width),<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 lesser contribution to water volume and quality control than many other BMPs, but they may feature as part of a site-wide treatment train approach.   

'''Grass swales''' are a relatively common landscape feature already and a great opportunity for retrofit, to reduce flow and improve water quality by encouraging settling and infiltration behind a series of check dams. <br>

'''[[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.   

{{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}}

{|class="wikitable"

{|class="wikitable"

|+ Types of Swale

|+ Types of Swale

==Performance==

==Performance==

<h3>Bioswales</h3>

 

===Bioswales===

{{:Bioswales: Performance}}

{{:Bioswales: Performance}}

<h3>Enhanced grass swales</h3>

===Enhanced grass swales===

==Construction==

==Construction==

==Incentives and Credits==

==Galleries==

{{:Swales: Gallery}}

The City of Mississauga has a stormwater management credit program which includes RWH as one of their recommended site strategies[https://www.mississauga.ca/portal/services/credit-program].

==See Also==

==See Also==

*[[Bioretention cells]]

*[[Bioretention cells]]

*[[Check dams]]

*[[Check dams]]

 

 

[[Category:Infiltration]]

[[Category:Infiltration]]

[[Category:Green infrastructure]]

[[Category:Green infrastructure]]