Bioinfiltration Swales

By removing standing water in your yard, preventing erosion, dealing with minor flooding, and redirecting water away from your building foundations, you will be protecting your investment and water quality in nearby lakes, streams, and marine waters.

The fact sheet: Bioinfiltration Swales describes one of the ways you can manage your drainage issues on your property. It provide general concepts about when bioinfiltration swales might help manage stormwater, including general design, construction, and maintenance guidelines.

What is a bioinfiltration swale?

A bioinfiltration swale is a stormwater conveyance system that moves water from on
place to another while allowing for infiltration and treatment. The swale consists of an
excavated channel for stormwater with a gentle downgradient slope. There is vegetation
planted on the channel bottom and sides. Bioinfiltration swales are an excellent alternative
to standard ditches or traditional piped stormwater conveyance systems because they
are designed to move water to locations that can handle excess stormwater while
simultaneously treating and infiltrating the water as it moves through the swale.