Swales

From LID SWM Planning and Design Guide
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This article is about planted installations designed to capture and convey surface runoff through an engineered soil with subterranean infrastructure.

Overview[edit]

Swales are linear landscape features consisting of a drainage channel with gently sloping sides. Underground they are filled with engineered soil and a water storage layer of coarse gravel material.
They are sometimes referred to as 'dry swales', 'vegetated swales', 'water quality swales' or 'inline bioretention'.

Swales are an ideal technology for:

  • Sites with long linear landscaped areas, such as parking lots
  • Connecting with one or more other types of LID

The fundamental components of a swale are:

  • graded channel
  • planting

Additional components may include:

  • Biomedia - an engineered soil mix
  • Planting
  • Underdrain with clean out and inspection ports
  • Impermeable membrane to prevent infiltration to soils below
  • Check dams
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    Planning Considerations[edit]

    Planning Content

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    Design[edit]

    Design Content

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    Performance[edit]

    Performance Content

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    Incentives and Credits[edit]

    In Ontario

    City of Mississauga
    The City of Mississauga has a stormwater management credit program which includes RWH as one of their recommended site strategies[1].

    LEED BD + C v. 4

    SITES v.2


    See Also[edit]


    External Links[edit]


Types of Swales
PropertyBioswaleEnhanced Grass Swale
Surface waterMinimal
Any surface flow can be slowed with check dams
Ponding encouraged with check dams
Engineered soilBiomedia requiredAmendment preferable when possible
UdnerdrainCommonUncommon
MaintenanceMedium to highLow
Stormwater benefitHighMedium
Biodiversity benefitIncreased with native plantingLower
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