Swales

SWALES

Urban designers and storm water managers talk about controlling storm water run-off on our streets and parking lots by building swales that absorb the stormwater and keep it from flowing into our rivers. But what are swales? It's hard to get someone to describe a swale in a meaningful manner. As I was producing this documentary I talked with a lot with folks about swales but I really didn't have any idea what they were until I saw some at the Seven Corners New Seasons Market at SE 20th and Division in Portland. So I took some photos and I hope that helps to give a clearer picture of what swales are and how they work.

For more information about swales and other green stormwater management practices check out cleanriverspdx.org.

	Swales can be created in curbside parking strips or at the edges of parking lots. In this curbside swale, the curb cut allows stormwater to run off the street into the vegetated bed.
	The bed is graded so that its lowest point is at the center, allowing the water to gather and be absorbed by the water-loving plants before it percolates into the ground and finally into the ground water. Eventually this ground water will recharge our rivers and creeks.
	Much of the vegetation in the New Seasons swales consists of grooved rush (juncus patens), common rush (juncus effuses) and slough sedge (corex obnupta).

	The New Seasons' stormwater managment program also includes collecting rainwater from the roof and guiding the water into a swale between the parking lot and the store. This swale has no curb cut and its function is more like a French Drain.
	A Rube Goldberg-like sculpture catches the rainwater from the roof. Part of the contraption is this giant faucet that sprinkles the rainwater into a catchment planter, allowing the water to filter into the swale.