Garth Ruffner Landscape Architect
Coordination of swale locations should occur as early in the design process as possible. If you need to add or change the location of a swale, please call or e-mail right away.
Water quality swales located in larger planters along street frontages are often good locations for mowed turf grass. Most landscape contractors under-stand turf maintenance and the grass will be kept at optimum heights and densities.
Cross slopes should not be greater than 5:1 to allow for safe mowing and soils in the swale should be reasonably permeable.
Water quality swales are frequently located between streets and parking. From a landscape perspective, extend-ing the swales to run near the back of sidewalk allows the use of shrubs to screen parked cars.
Holt Rentals, Vacaville
Swales that split parking areas provide excellent rooting area for shade trees if there is adequate room to plant the trees on the side slopes. To keep trees out of the flow lines, it is preferable to have the swale bottoms off center where possible.
The grass at left, an Asian species of Sedge, tolerates frequent mowing, standing water and even some drought.