Drainage Swale

Today, swales not only convey stormwater but also help to treat runoff to reduce pollutants. Like ditches, swales collect stormwater from roads, driveways, parking lots and other hard surfaces. Unlike ditches, swales are not deep with straight sides. They have gently sloping sides and are wider than they are deep.

What are the disadvantages of swales?

Limitations of swales are that they: have limited removal of fine sediment and dissolved pollutants. use more land area than kerb and gutter, and restrict certain activities like car parking. require a sunny aspect for plant growth, which limits their application in shaded areas.

What is the difference between ditch and swale?

Swales, although similar to ditches, are low valley-like intersections between properties, usually more moist and having more growth of vegetation than ditches. They are also used for the conveyance and retention of drainage and irrigation of land, however are usually located along the rear yards of properties.

What does it mean to dig a swale?

Swales follow the contours around the base of a natural or created slope, redirecting storm water and filtering runoff as it sinks into the soil, instead of keeping it in one place, like a rain garden.

When should you not use swales?

When should you not use a contour swale? Contour swales are not the tool you want to choose when the issue you are facing is too much water and oversaturation on your site. They are also best used on slopes that are 3:1 or less because that keeps your berm from getting too steep, causing further erosion.

Where does water in a swale go?

As water flows across a typical surface or landscape, most of it will run off quickly without having a chance to soak into the soil, even on land that appears flat or very gently sloping. With a swale or other earthwork such as a rain garden, the water flows into the trench, where it slowly seeps deep into the soil.

Do swales attract mosquitoes?

Wet swales may not be appropriate for some residential applications, such as frontage lots, because they contain standing water that may attract mosquitoes.

How deep should swales be?

There are no hard rules about the size of a swale, but the bigger it is the more water it can absorb during a rainstorm. Six- to 12-inches deep and 3- to 4-feet wide are typical dimensions.

How do you maintain a swale?

Remove sediment and debris from in and around the swale. Remove weeds and plants that do not belong. Check for any obstruction or blockage of flow along inflow areas or pipes, including trash, debris, or sediment. Mow grass no shorter than 3 to 6 inches.

What do you line a swale with?

Rocks.

How do you dig a swale for drainage?

Use a shovel and cut a trench along where the center of the swale will be. Dig the trench, sloping the bottom down at least 1 inch for every 10 feet of length. If sod will be placed in the swale, lower the entire trench 2 to 3 inches. Next, mark the edges of the swale.

Is a swale better than a French drain?

French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.

What do swales look like?

And low slope landscapes they're not elements that fit into steep landscape like soil conditioners

How do drainage swales work?

Drainage swales are shallow ditches that blend in with surrounding landscape design, facilitate water management, and encourage natural irrigation. Swales take advantage of natural slopes in the land to direct water downward into all the soil as opposed to letting it pool above ground or waterlog a specific region.

Can you plant trees in a swale?

Instead of having it run off the site, swales have the effect of slowing, spreading, and sinking the rain directly into the soil. Trees are always planted directly downhill of each swale, so that when it rains and the swales fill up, the rain sinks slowly into the soil directly into the roots of our trees.

What is a natural swale?

A swale is a shady spot, or a sunken or marshy place. In US usage in particular, it is a shallow channel with gently sloping sides. Such a swale may be either natural or human-made. Artificial swales are often infiltration basins, designed to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase rainwater infiltration.

How do you redirect water runoff?

Redirect Runoff. Intercepting and redirecting runoff provides an opportunity to safely discharge the volume to a place beyond the problem area. This can be done using swales, French drains, catch basins or downspout and sump pump extensions.

Can you fill in a swale?

Can I Fill in a Swale to Make It Level with My Lawn or Other Landscaping? The short answer for this one is no. Some homeowners consider swales unsightly and would rather have a nice, level lawn or a smooth surface along their driveway.

What to put in standing water to prevent mosquitoes?

Dish soap or shampoo: Liquid soap is known to effectively kill mosquito larvae. Just a millimeter of dish soap in a gallon of standing water will kill off the larvae. Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil will get rid of mosquito eggs and larvae almost immediately.

How do you stop mosquitoes from breeding in drains?

Apply A Screen To Your Catch Basin The first way to stop mosquitoes from entering your yard drain is to use plain old window screen or very permeable landscape fabric over the catch basin. This will still allow water to flow through but will help prevent mosquitoes from getting in. The process is pretty simple.