DEFINITIONBioretention measures are important to collect, cleanse and infiltrate water on site. Porous materials (shown in the illustration below) are installed at the bottom of the swale. Typically covered with 40-60cm of organic material mixed with local soil. This mixture acts to store collected water while being absorbed. This process can be further progressed through the installation of deep rooting native plant variates.
A bioswale or vegetated swale is a form of bioretention used to partially treat water quality, attenuate flooding potential and convey stormwater away from critical infrastructure. These systems are linear, with width to width dimensions much greater than the more typical 2:1 applied to bioretention cells.(Source: Florida Field Guide to Low Impact Development)
AKAbioretention swale, conveyance swale, bioditch, vegetated swale, dry swale, wet swale, degree of treatment
PERFORMANCE CRITERIAlength, slope, cross-section area, soil depth, quantity of stormwater intercepted and/or treated
ILLUSTRATION
How to fix the desert and remove salt from the ground with a swale