Feb 25, 2025 · Swales serve as a first line of defense against stormwater runoff by capturing excess water from hard surfaces. Swales help direct runoff away from vulnerable areas, such …

Swales as used in permaculture are designed by permaculturalists to slow and capture runoff by spreading it horizontally across the landscape (along an elevation contour line), facilitating …

Swales follow the contours around the base of a natural or created slope, redirecting storm water and filtering runoff as it sinks into the soil, instead of keeping it in one place, like a rain garden.

Unlike traditional drainage systems that quickly direct water away, swales allow water to soak into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies and reducing erosion. By managing runoff …

Jul 16, 2025 · Swales capture and transport surface runoff, nourishing plants and reducing erosion. The berms beneath them make great fertile planting beds, and best of all, many …

Dec 13, 2023 · Learn about the definition, benefits, design, construction, and examples of swales. Discover how they help with stormwater management, erosion control, and water filtration.

Nov 30, 2021 · Homeowners make use of swales to control the flow of water in their backyards and other exterior regions of their property. No matter what the specific land use, these …

The meaning of SWALE is a low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land; also : a shallow depression on a golf course.

Swales are effective at removing polluting suspended solids through filtration and sedimentation. The vegetation traps organic and mineral particles that are then incorporated into the soil, …

Jul 20, 2025 · Swales are gently sloping drainage ditches that are typically filled with vegetation. Unlike traditional ditches that channel water quickly away from a site, swales are designed to …