Swale (landform)
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A swale is a shady spot, or a sunken or marshy place. In US usage in particular, it is a shallow channel with gently sloping sides. Such a swale may be either natural or human-made. Artificial swales
A constructed swale or bioswale built in a residential area to manage stormwater runoff
A natural swale
Bioswale
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Bioswales are channels designed to concentrate and convey stormwater runoff while removing debris and pollution. Bioswales can also be beneficial in recharging groundwater, reducing flooding and erosi
Swale (landform)
…human-made. Artificial swales are often infiltration basins, designed to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase rainwater infiltration. Bioswales are swales that involve the inclusion of plants or vegetation in their construction, specifically. The use of swales has been popularized as a…
Runoff from the vicinity flows into an adjacent bioswale
Two bioswales for a housing development. The foreground one is under construction while the background one is established.
A curbside bioswale in Chicago.