Vegetated Swales
Intercept & Treat Surface Water Runoff
View the Vegatated Swales signage placed at the reservoirs.
How Do They Work?
Vegetated swales (also known as bioswales or biofilters) are sloped, low-lying areas designed to capture and treat storm water.
The swales collect stormwater runoff and allow it to soak into the ground at a slower rate.
Specialized native plants then help treat the stormwater by absorbing pollutants and filtering suspended sediments. This improves the quality of the surface water that enters the reservoir (or other bodies of water).
Bioswale Cross-section illustration below, or view the signage for a more detailed diagram and description of the process.
.jpg "Bioswale Detail")
You Can Work with Nature to Protect Stormwater:
Keep it Cleaner
- Hand pull or spot treat weeds to minimize chemical use
- Replace high-maintenance turf grass with native perennials
- Dispose of yard waster properly, never in a storm drain or stream
- Keep oil, dirt, detergents and pesticides from entering storm drains
Reduce the Flow
- Minimize the use of impervious or hard, non-porpus surfaces
- Maintain healthy vegetative buffers around waterways
- Use rain berrels, rain gardens & bioswales to capture rain water
Native plants such as (left to right) the Great Blue Lobelia, Prairie Blazing Star (or Liatrus), and the Cardinal Flower work to filter contaminants from stormwater when used in bioswales and rain gardens.
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