Definitions: Swale: A trench dug into the soil, following contour lines, to help capture runoff and the topsoil that it carries. Berm: A mound of dirt, stone, or other debris laid out following contour lines to slow the movement of water and soil.
When should you not use a contour swale? Contour swales are not the tool you want to choose when the issue you are facing is too much water and oversaturation on your site. They are also best used on slopes that are 3:1 or less because that keeps your berm from getting too steep, causing further erosion.
Berms prevent off-site sedimentation by diverting runoff to a sediment trapping device and can also be used to divert clean water from entering a disturbed area. They can also trap sediment by ponding and settling out sheet flow runoff, or by filtering sediment as runoff passes through permeable berms.
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 are often infiltration basins, designed to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase rainwater infiltration.
An embankment connects two levels in the terrain with small inclination with a third level, which is steeper (e.g. left/right of a road). A berm divides the embankment into several horizontal subareas, so that the earth pressure on the embankment foot is decreased.
Swales are dug out and layered with hügelkultur that can be planted on top while water percolates back into substrate below. Berms are mounded to direct and keep water in the swale. Swale systems disrupt and slow sheetwater runoff by providing an indirect, often zigzagging path for the water to follow.
For general applications, a berm is a physical, stationary barrier of some kind. For example, in highway construction, a berm is a noise barrier constructed of earth, often landscaped, running along a highway to protect adjacent land users from noise pollution.
Reseed bare areas to avoid erosion. Be sure to water during the initial establishment period. Inspect and maintain or repair components. After rainfall, check the swale to ensure the water does not pond longer than 2 or 3 days after a rain storm.
Like a trench drain, a swale is a surface water drainage device. However, it's a lot more subtle in terms of its appearance in the landscape. A swale is like a ditch, but it's broad and shallow, and usually covered or lined with turfgrass or other vegetation.
A berm can cause two problems. One, it promotes runoff and discourages infiltration of precipitation. Two, a berm as a convex landform stores and radiates heat above the surrounding ground. Consequently, there are times when the plants are getting inadequate amount of water.
It should look like a natural hill with a casual slope (not a steep drop-off). A more natural-looking berm generally has more of a crescent or curved appearance. A gradual sloping berm will also be less likely to erode.
Use fill dirt or inorganic fill for the base and topsoil for the top of the berm. Inorganic fill can include gravel, rocks, or concrete rubble. (You can certainly use topsoil for the entire berm, but doing so would be more expensive and not necessary).
The primary function is to convey stormwater runoff and there is minimal water quality benefit; however, rock lined and vegetated swales may decrease the velocity of water and facilitate some infiltration. Vegetated swales may have the added benefit of filtering stormwater as it flows through the swale.
For a relatively flat yard, a swale will generally drop 1 inch for every 10 feet of length. If your yard is flat for 60 feet, and then drops several feet to the street, a swale starting in the back yard would begin at a depth of two inches and be 8 inches deep at the point where it reached the drop to the street.
Avoid planting trees and shrubs or adding rocks and decorations in swales to keep water flowing smoothly and maintain proper drainage. Why It's Not Safe: 🌳 Obstruction: Plants and rocks can block water flow, causing flooding and improper drainage. 🌳 Roots: Tree and shrub roots can damage drainage infrastructure.
Place rocks, gravel, mulch, and/or plants within the swale. Test the effectiveness of the swale by running water through your system.
The uphill side of the house must have a drainage waterway (swale) to direct the water around the house. This drainage swale should be at least ten feet from the house and sloped to convey accumulated water away from the dwelling efficiently, and into a proper outlet.
This simple system uses natural landscaping to prevent flooding rather than industrial materials. Affordable: The average cost to build a swale drainage ranges from $0.50 to $1 per square foot or $5 to $15 per linear square foot, making this drain type one of the most affordable to install.
You can fill the spaces with gravel or plant grass or other ground cover.
Definitions: Swale: A trench dug into the soil, following contour lines, to help capture runoff and the topsoil that it carries. Berm: A mound of dirt, stone, or other debris laid out following contour lines to slow the movement of water and soil.
The swale cross section should be trapezoidal in shape. The steepest permissible side slope of the swale should be 2:1 (Horizontal: Vertical).
Definition and Purpose
A permanent dike or berm is a ridge constructed of compacted soil, loose gravel, stone, or crushed rock that intercepts and prevents stormwater runoff from entering a sensitive area, and diverts or directs the water to a controlled or stabilized drainage outlet.
The best berm placement often depends on the purpose you want the particular berm to serve. For example, a berm that is intended to block the view of a compost pile must be located near that area. It's also important to make sure you have enough room to construct a berm.
» Berm construction: 2.5-foot average height » Base construction cost range: $6.50 - $18.40 per cubic yard of in place material » 100-foot width: 9.2 cubic yards per linear foot » 300-foot width: 27.6 cubic yards per linear foot » Lower construction costs are typically where berm borrow material is readily available at ...