Type of Swales

A swale is a shallow, sloped channel for the conveyance of storm water or groundwater. There are 2 types of drainage swales: a wet swale and a dry swale.  A dry swale is normally used if the existing soil consist of dense soil and with high clay content causing drainage problems. Therefore, in a dry swale, a perforated pipe tie to an outfall surrounded with loose gravel at the bottom of the swale will be used. Water enters the swale and into the perforated at the bottom of the swale and discharge at the outlet either to a gutter, a lake/river, catch basin or to a sewer.