Swell Swales Part 1: Water Management

 Swell Swales Protect against Flood & Drought!

A key element of permaculture or sustainable design on the Front Range in Colorado is water management.

Sometimes it is too much water, sometimes it is too little. 

In this post, we’re going to briefly touch on two of the most common water management methods and some issues with those two styles. And then we’re going to show you how swales, particularly bio-swales better address those issues and provide additional positive effects for you, your land, and the ecosystems around you!

Some (not swell) commonly used systems to deal with water runoff include sheet flow where sheets of water flow over a large surface and subsurface perforated pipe leading to drainage sites. While they may work okay for a while, sheet flow drainage plains are not reinforced so large precipitation events cause lots of erosion carving out new unpredictable pathways for flood waters.  Subsurface drainage fails over time as sediment builds up in the system and tree roots find and fill up the perforated pipe in their relentless search for water. 

Additionally, the sites they are draining become overly dry during drought conditions and

When the above systems fail, they jeopardize riparian areas with polluted water. This happens when these systems dump untreated water into our riparian systems causing eutrophication.

Swales, on the other hand, are able to keep the water management balanced. Not too dry during drought times, they build up biomass during the growing season which protects against erosion. Flood waters go through resilient predictable channels, and therefore, riparian areas are protected from polluted water. 

Swales are shallow channels with gently sloping sides. Bio-swales are swales that employ vegetation to further enhance the erosion protection of the swale.

How do swales complete this magic?

During drought swales promote resilience by slowing and storing seasonal inputs of water and directing water to the plants with the highest water needs.

Bio-swales provide water and nutrient resources for higher successional plant growth, which in turn helps control wind and water erosion, including creating snow drifts, gathering winter water in the landscape. This control of wind and water erosion protects us during floods and drought. 

As a bonus, this diverse plant growth supports healthy local ecosystems through important forage and shelter for various species, and healthy mud, an important resource for many animals.

Swales are simple constructions made of natural materials. They are also above ground where maintenance needs can easily be seen and addressed. All of this means swales are easily maintained and adaptable to changing needs.

Swales protect our riparian areas and our drinking water by filtering water through healthy living soil.

Swales can even help protect us from wildfire by providing hydrated fire breaks in the landscape. 

Hugelkultur is another important tool in permaculture. Hugelkultur involves planting decaying wood or other plant biomass in the soil.  Bio-swales directed towards hugelkultur can help to break down wood, sequestering the carbon into the soil and keeping it from being a flammable liability during drought cycles. These micro climates will continue to sequester carbon long after the original wood is decayed.

You can learn more about designing, understanding, and making swales in person at our very first FREE public class March 23rd, 2024. Sign up  now HERE  

Learn more about the class and sign up for updates about future classes at: https://urbanoasisdesign.com/events-education

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