Landscape Construction: Swales

Use vegetated swales to slow the movement of water across the property.

Consider using vegetated swales in order to slow the speed of the water as it flows across the yard. Swales are channels in the surface of the ground that are designed to direct the flow of water across the property. Vegetated swales also increase the chance for infiltration of the water into the ground. Design the swales to exit into rain gardens or other storage devices for short term retention of the water.