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Sitework & Earthworkaka: drainage swaleaka: bioswaleaka: grassed waterway

Swale

In Plain English

A shallow, grass-lined drainage channel that directs rainwater away from buildings and filters it as it flows.

Definition

A shallow, vegetated or lined channel designed to convey stormwater runoff while providing filtering and slowing of flow. Swales can be grass-lined (traditional drainage) or bioretention swales (designed to infiltrate runoff). They serve both drainage and water quality functions by filtering sediment and pollutants before runoff reaches waterways.

Example

A 4-foot-wide grass-lined swale was graded along the property line to convey stormwater from the parking lot to the retention pond.

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