Bioswales

File:Unlabelled bioswale underdrain.png|thumb|750px|Bioswale with check dams, to facilitate short-term ponding (vertical scale exaggerated for diagram), graded sloped channel, mulch preserve soil moisture for plant survival to maintain the organic matter content of underlying filter media, filter media and vegetation to promote infiltration into the facility, an underdrain and river rock/stone to reduce flow velocity and erosion potential within the facility. A note: The following is an "image map", feel free to explore the image with your cursor and click on highlighted labels that appear to take you to corresponding pages on the Wiki.
rect 160 131 656 720 Tall Grasses / Vegetation
poly 11177 262 1170 820 2741 1069 2768 565 Tall Grasses / Vegetation
rect 3106 580 3729 1207 Tall Grasses / Vegetation
poly 787 510 784 765 1156 814 1156 693 River Rock
rect 2875 903 3102 1113 River Rock
poly 773 745 777 814 2744 1117 2741 1069 Mulch
poly 2878 1141 2882 1086 3540 1193 3547 1258 Mulch
rect 656 438 773 982 Check Dams
rect 2872 1317 2751 755 Check Dams
poly 777 814 773 1013 2741 1327 2737 1113 Filter Media
poly 270 720 267 941 653 996 653 800 Filter Media
poly 2872 1134 2868 1341 3547 1465 3537 1262 Filter Media
poly 267 941 264 1100 3537 1630 3543 1465 Reservoir Aggregate
poly 270 1103 260 1182 3530 1720 3537 1630 Underdrain
poly 264 1203 267 1979 3543 1982 3540 1744 Native Soil
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*This article is about installations designed to capture and convey surface runoff along a vegetated channel, whilst also promoting infiltration. 
*For underground conveyance which promotes infiltration, see Exfiltration trenches. 
*For design recommendations on channels in which surface flow is controlled with check dams, see Enhanced swales.
==Overview==
Similar to swales, biofilters, enhanced grassed swales, and bioretention, bioswales are long vegetated open channels trapezoidal channels which are designed to treat, convey, infiltrate, and attenuate incoming stormwater runoff. Similar to roadside ditches, they are predominately used to help direct large stormwater flow volume from a large catchment area (i.e., road, parking lot, property) to a connected discharge point (i.e. overflow outlet connected to the municipal storm sewer system, or to another LID BMP). Bioswales with the optional use of check dams can also slow and clean suspended sediments along the practice's sloped channel, while also allowing water to infiltrate through the system to an associated underdrain system below (Capital Regional District (CRD), n.d.) Capital Regional District (CRD). n.d. Bioswales. Stormwater, Wastewater & Septic > Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022. https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/stormwater-wastewater-septic/green-stormwater-infrastructure/bioswales 
There are several design variations of the bioswales, which include: 
*Dry swales
*Enhanced swales
*Grass swales
*Retention swales
Bioswale vegetation is generally lawn grasses, but there are numerous variations that include: perennials, shrubs, small trees and various plants or [[river rock] that allow the practice to still effectively infiltrate and convey incoming stormwater runoff (Capital Regional District (CRD), n.d.). 
Take a look at the downloadable Enhanced Grass Swales Factsheet, which includes details about bioswales below for a .pdf overview of this LID Best Management Practice:
The fundamental components of a bioswale are:
*A graded channel
*Planting
*Underdrain with clean out and inspection ports
* Filter media, to permit infiltration into the facility (not necessarily to soils below)
Additional components may include:
*Impermeable liner to prevent infiltration to soils below
*Check dams to facilitate short tern ponding
==Planning considerations==
Bioswales are sized as narrow linear bioretention cells. 
Drainage time of bioswales is typically lower than other geometric configurations of similarly sized bioretention facilities, owing to the higher hydraulic radius of the sides.
For more information on planning considerations and site constraints see Bioretention.
For a table summarizing information on planning considerations and site constraints see Site considerations.
==Design==
Bioretention: Sizing
===Inlets===
Inlets for BMPs in the right of way should be located:
*At all sag points in the gutter grade
*Immediately upgrade of median breaks, crosswalks, and street intersections. 
It is recommended to include multiple inlets, sized to distribute inflow along the length of the practice or between multiple facilities, where feasible, rather than concentrating all inflow into a single location. (Offline overflow).
====Trench drains====
Trench drains are long, covered channels that collect and direct water into the BMP. They are an excellent solution for streets where walking across the entire surface is to be encouraged. They can be designed as detectable edges or part of a detectable edge, and may be used to help define curbless or 'complete streets'. 
Trenches may either be shallow (where runoff volume is less of an issue) or deep and covered by a metal grate. Deeper trench drains may gather sediment and require frequent maintenance. 
Drains may be configured either perpendicular or parallel to the flow direction of the roadway, collecting runoff and directing to a single inlet in the BMP. 
====Curb cuts====
Curb cuts are breaks along the length of a curb system to allow water to flow into a LID/BMP. 
Inlet aprons or depressions increase inflow effectiveness of curb cuts. Steeply angled aprons can be hazardous, especially to people bicycling. Curbside and protected bike lanes along concrete aprons should be at least 1.8 m to give cyclists adequate clear width from the curb and any pavement seams. Aprons can also be marked visually to indicate their perimeter. 
For aprons into bioretention, the curb may angle into the cell to improve conveyance of gutter flow into the facility. Aprons typically drop 50 mm into the bioretention cell, with another 50 mm drop behind the curb to maintain inflow as debris collects.
A depressed concrete apron can be cast in place or retrofitted in by grinding down the existing concrete pavement.
Where the curb alignment along the street is straight, the curb opening may optionally have a bar across the top of the inlet.
County Court Blvd biofilter spillway inlet and CB overflow.jpg|OPSD 605.040 Asphalt Spillway inlet to biofilter swale and road catch basin overflow outlet. County Court Blvd., Brampton, ON.
Curb inlet Miss Rd.jpg|This curb cut has been sawn into existing concrete as part of a retrofit. Note the temporary (erosion log) and permanent stone erosion control measures in place. Mississauga Road, ON. 
LSRCA curb.jpg| Curb cut used as a controlled overflow route from permeable pavement to a bioretention facility with monitoring well, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Newmarket, ON.
Curb cut CNT.jpg| Curb cut into a bioretention facility in Hinsdale, IL. Stone in the center of the facility reduces erosion and dissipates power inflow around the inlet area. A monitoring/maintenance well can be seen in the foreground. Photo credit: CNT
Curb cut AV.jpg | Curb cut into a bioretention facility in Brown Deer, WI. Stone is used to reduce erosion around the inlet area. Photo credit: Aaron Volkening
Ajax_curb_inlet.JPG| Curb cut into a bioretention facility in Ajax, ON.
IMAX Stone Inlet.jpeg| Stone lined inlet at IMAX site in Mississauga
Curb inlet grade.jpg| The grading around this inlet prevents flow in the correct direction. i.e. from the pavement onto the grass. Not too critical in this example, as the surface is permeable pavement. 
====Inlet sumps====
An inlet sump is recommended to settle and separate sediments from runoff where a large amount of debris is expected. Water drains into a catch basin, where debris settles in its sump. After pretreatment, water drains via a pipe or opening into the BMP. The sump can be directly connected to a perforated underdrain pipe to distribute the flow to the bioretention, supported soil cells or underground practices such as trenches or chambers.
Sump inlets should not be sited where pedestrians will have to negotiate with them.
====Depressed drains====
Runoff in the gutter drops into a grate-covered drain before flowing into the BMP. Drain covers must be compatible with bicycling and walking; grid covers are preferred.
Depressed drains are a potential solution for bioretention cells on sloped streets where directing runoff into the cell is a challenge.
This style of inlet can be combined with a curb cut, to maintain capacity in case debris clogs the grate.
===Overflow===
====Routing====
*Infiltration facilities can be designed to be inline or offline from the drainage system. See figure to the right for an illustration.
*Inline facilities accept all of the flow from a drainage area and convey larger event flows through an overflow outlet. The overflow must be sized to safely convey larger storm events out of the facility. The overflow must be situated at the maximum surface ponding elevation or furthest downgradient end of the facility to limit surface ponding during periods of flow in excess of the facility storage capacity. 
*Offline facilities use flow splitters or bypass channels that only allow the design storm runoff storage volume to enter the facility. Higher flows are conveyed to a downstream storm sewer or other BMP by a flow splitting manhole weir or pipe, or when the maximum surface ponding depth has been reached, by by-passing the curb opening and flowing into a downstream catchbasin connected to a storm sewer.
====Overflow Elevation====
The invert of the overflow should be placed at the maximum water surface elevation of the practice (i.e. the maximum surface ponding level). 
A good starting point is 150 to 350 mm above the surface of the mulch cover. However, consideration should be given to public safety, whether or not an underdrain is included, the time required for ponded water to drain through the filter bed surface, and if no underdrain is present, into the underlying native soil (must drain within 48 hours). 
See Bioretention: Sizing for more details.
====Freeboard====
====Overflow Outlet Options====
Metal grates are recommended (over plastic) in all situations. 
Feature 	Anti Vandalism/Robust	Lower Cost Option	Self cleaning
Dome grate 	 	 	x
Flat grate 	 	x 	
Catch basin 	x 	 	
Ditch inlet catch basin	x 	 	x
Curb cut 	x 	x 	x
==Inspection and Maintenance==
Maintenance requirements for bioswales is similar to [[swales00 and bioretention. It typically involve a low level of activity after vegetation becomes established. Grass channel maintenance procedures are already in place at many municipal public works and transportation departments. These procedures should be compared to the recommendations provided on the Inspection and Maintenance: Enhanced Swales page to assure that the infiltration and water quality benefits of enhanced grass swales are preserved. 
Meanwhile, bioswales also require regular weeding, pruning, and mulching, similar to other landscaped areas, as well as the removal of trash, debris and sediment accumulated in pretreatment areas, inlets and outlets. 
Inspections should occur twice annually (spring and late fall) and after major storm events. Inspect for vegetation density (≥ 80% coverage), damage by foot or vehicle traffic, erosion, debris and sediment accumulation, and damage to any pretreatment devices.
Cleanouts and access points should be provided to allow clean-out of the underdrain and overflow pipe. Camera inspection of these pipes should be conducted every 5 years to ensure pipes are free of roots, sediment and debris. Hydraulic flushing or root removal may be needed to clear debris or obstructions.
Take a look at the Inspection and Maintenance: Bioretention & Bioswales page and theInspection and Maintenance: Enhanced Swales page by clicking below for further details about proper inspection and maintenance practices:
 
==Materials==
All forms of bioretention are complex in their structure, so please follow separate links for the materials. 
*Plants and Planting design
*Bioretention: Filter media
*Choker layer
*Underdrains
==Gallery==
==Planting Design Considerations==
*Where possible a combination of native trees, shrubs and perennial herbs should be used in addition to grasses.
*Most bioswales will be situated to receive full sun exposure. The ‘Exposure’ column in the master plant list identifies the sun exposure condition for each species.
*Facilities with a deeper media bed (greater than 1 m) provide the opportunity for a wider range of plant species (including trees). 
*For applications along roads and parking lots, where snow may be plowed or stored, non-woody and salt tolerant species should be chosen.
*Proper spacing must be provided for aboveground and below ground utilities, and adjacent infrastructure. 
For adoption on residential properties see Rain Gardens or TRCA's A Complete Guide to Maintaining a Rain Garden
==Performance==
==References==
Category:Infiltration
Category:Green infrastructure