What are bio swells?
Bioretention swales are shallow, vegetated, landscaped depressions with sloped sides. They are designed to capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff as it moves downstream.
What does bioswale mean?
Bioswales are linear, vegetated ditches which allow for the collection, conveyance, filtration and infiltration of stormwater. The can also be referred to as “grass swales,” “vegetated swales,” or “filter strips.”
What is Bioretention How does it work?
Bioretention is an important technique that uses soil, plants and microbes to treat stormwater before it is infiltrated or discharged. Bioretention “cells” are shallow depressions filled with sandy soil, topped with a thick layer of mulch, and planted with dense vegetation.
How do bioswales help the environment?
A bioswale is one way to protect our surface waters by decreasing stormwater runoff. It is a gently sloping vegetative swale designed to slow and reduce stormwater runoff while filtering out pollutants. Reduces non-point pollution by filtering stormwater. Reduces standing water (puddles) that can attract mosquitoes.
How deep should my swale 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. Smooth out the shape of the berm with a hard metal rake to form a planting bed.
How much does a swale cost?
Generally speaking, Vegetated Swales cost between $4.50 and $8.50 per linear foot when vegetated from seed, and $15 to $20 per linear foot when vegetated from sod. Annual maintenance costs will be around $1 per linear foot (seed) and $2 per linear foot (sod).
How effective are bioswales?
The biggest advantage bioswales offer is reducing stormwater runoff. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), a 4-meter bioswale can reduce about 25% the of total rainfall runoff. The effectiveness of bioswales extends to their ability to filter stormwater naturally.
How much does a bioswale cost?
Allow a one-month lead-time for permission and planning. If you plan to build out a rain garden or bioswale, costs will vary. Estimated cost for a rain garden is $3–5 per square foot if labor is donated • Estimate $200–4,000 for a 200m2 bioswale.
What is a bio retention system?
A bioretention system consists of a soil bed planted with suitable non-invasive (preferably native) vegetation. Vegetation in the soil planting bed provides uptake of pollutants and runoff and helps maintain the pores and associated infiltration rates of the soil in the bed.
What is a bio retention tank?
Bioretention basins are landscaped depressions or shallow basins used to slow and treat on-site stormwater runoff. Stormwater is directed to the basin and then percolates through the system where it is treated by a number of physical, chemical and biological processes.
How deep are bioswales?
Typical swales range from 2-3 feet wide, about 100 feet long, and are 6 – 12 inches deep. Happy Valley Bioswale has a 10-foot wide flowline, is 45 feet wide at ground surface, has a maximum depth of 3.5 feet, and is 300 feet long in a horseshoe pattern.
What do you fill swale with?
Line the swale with landscape fabric, fill it with inexpensive gravel or crushed concrete and top it off with a few inches of attractive stone. Place larger stones along the sides to hold soil in place. Plant ground cover or grass inside a swale that’s subject to occasional rushing water.
Which is the best definition of a swell?
Definition of swell (Entry 2 of 3) 1 : a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (such as a gale) 2a : the condition of being protuberant.
Which is the best definition of a bioswale?
Definition of bioswale. : a long, channeled depression or trench that receives rainwater runoff (as from a parking lot) and has vegetation (such as grasses, flowering herbs, and shrubs) and organic matter (such as mulch) to slow water infiltration and filter out pollutants The new…
What does it mean to build a bio swale?
Many farmers and gardeners have heard the term bio-swale, but the exact definition—much less how and why to build one—is elusive for most. To get right to the point, a bio-swale is basically a fancy type of ditch that used for controlling erosion and conserving moisture in the soil.
How does a bioswale work to remove pollutants?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Bioswales work to remove pollutants through vegetation and the soil. As the storm water runoff flows through the bioswale, the pollutants are captured and settled by the leaves and stems of the plants.