Vegetated Swale

Swales are shallow, depressed areas in the landscape. These can be either naturally occurring or engineered. These low-lying stretches of land function as channels to carry water in the event of storms.

Unlike pipes, which provide no stormwater quality benefits, swales also reduce erosion, slow runoff, filter out pollutants and sediment, and provide some wildlife habitat.

Swales provide the greatest water quality and flood protection when left unmowed.