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− | [[File:20161024 100338 550x550.jpg|thumb|Bioswale, County Court Boulevard, Brampton]] | + | [[File:20161024 100338 550x550.jpg|thumb|500px|Bioswale, County Court Boulevard, Brampton]] |
| 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 systems which promote infiltration, see [[Exfiltration trenches]]. | | For underground conveyance systems which promote infiltration, see [[Exfiltration trenches]]. |
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| <h3>Pretreatment and inlets</h3> | | <h3>Pretreatment and inlets</h3> |
| To minimize erosion and maximize the functionality of the swale, sheet flow of surface water should be directed into the side of the BMP. [[Gravel diaphragms]], [[vegetated filter strips]] and shallow side slopes are ideal. Alternatively, a series of curb inlets can be employed, where each has some form of flow spreader incorporated. Single point inflow can cause increased erosion and sedimentation, which will damage vegetation and contribute to BMP failure. Again, flow spreading devices can mitigate these processes, where concentrated point inflow is required. | | To minimize erosion and maximize the functionality of the swale, sheet flow of surface water should be directed into the side of the BMP. [[Gravel diaphragms]], [[vegetated filter strips]] and shallow side slopes are ideal. Alternatively, a series of curb inlets can be employed, where each has some form of flow spreader incorporated. Single point inflow can cause increased erosion and sedimentation, which will damage vegetation and contribute to BMP failure. Again, flow spreading devices can mitigate these processes, where concentrated point inflow is required. |
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| + | ==Inspection and Maintenance== |
| + | Maintenance requirements for [[enhanced swales|enhanced grass swales]], and swales is similar to vegetated filter strips and 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. |
| + | |
| + | Routine roadside ditch maintenance practices such as scraping and re-grading should be avoided at swale locations. Vehicles should not be parked or driven on grass swales. For routine mowing, the lightest possible mowing equipment should be used to prevent soil compaction. |
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| + | For swales located on private property, the property owner, resident or manager is responsible for maintenance as outlined in a legally binding maintenance agreement. Roadside |
| + | swales in residential areas generally receive routine maintenance from homeowners who should be advised regarding recommended maintenance activities and ensure they do not build anything within or on the channel of the swale which could result in flooding or pooling on theirs or their neighbours' properties. |
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| + | <br> |
| + | Take a look at the [[Inspection and Maintenance: Enhanced Swales]] page by clicking below for further details about proper inspection and maintenance practices: |
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| + | {{Clickable button|[[File:Cover Photo swales.PNG|150 px|link=https://wiki.sustainabletechnologies.ca/index.php title=Inspection_and_Maintenance:_Enhanced_Swales&action=edit]]}} |
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| ==Performance== | | ==Performance== |