Vegetated Swales, commonly referred to as Eco-Swales and Bio-Swales, are an increasingly popular way of integrating a functional native community into the landscape. Rather than utilizing curb and gutter to channel runoff into storm sewers, where there is no chance to mitigate its quality or quantity, runoff is funneled through swales planted with appropriate native vegetation. Low maintenance native vegetation is vital to the success of these plantings. The strong roots and rhizomes of native graminoids hold the soil after temporary erosion control measures have lost their effectiveness. Further, these swales are often wet, precluding traditional mowing practices.
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