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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]].

==Overview==

==Overview==

[[File:20161024 100338 550x550.jpg|thumb|Bioswale, County Court Boulevard, Brampton]]

[[File:20161024 100338 550x550.jpg|thumb|Bioswale, County Court Boulevard, Brampton]]

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:

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:

*[[Bioswales]] 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 )

*[[Bioswales]] 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 )

*[[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.

*[[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.

{{TextBox|1=Swales are an ideal technology for:  

{{TextBox|1=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

!Underdrain

!Underdrain

|Common||Uncommon

|Common||Uncommon

|}

|}

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==Planning Considerations==

==Planning Considerations==

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