Vegetated Swales here are classified as swales not containing constant water flow. Vegetation can be established on the entire cross section of a swale.
Vegetated Swales offer distinct advantages over rock lined swales and concrete:
- Vegetation Filtering-Better Water Quality by filtering through vegetation
- Performance-Long Term performance with less maintenance
- An EPA Best Management Practice for NPDES regulations
- Aesthetics-Much more pleasing to the eye than hard armor
- Ease of Installation-simple to install without the need for large equipment
- Environmentally Responsible-Reduction in Heat Island Effect, Habitat creation, increases infiltration and much more!!
- Considerably less expensive than the rock rip rap or concrete alternative-As much as HALF the cost!!!
In order to design a successful vegetated drainage swale, hydraulic analysis needs to be completed to determine the forces that must be overcome. We have several software programs to determine if un-reinforced vegetation will stand the tests of time, or reinforced vegetation will be required. Contact your local representative to learn more about selecting the proper product to create a successful drainage swale.
(TRMs)-Permanent TRMs and Composite TRMs provide long-term erosion protection and vegetation establishment assistance while permanently reinforcing vegetation. All ASP permanent protection products—including our Vmax3® Composite Reinforcement Series—enable vegetation to be used in areas where the forces exerted by water and/or wind exceed the shear limits of unreinforced vegetation. Permanent TRMs consist of either 100% synthetic components or of a composite of synthetic and natural materials. These products have been tested and proven to dramatically increase the permissible shear stress of many types of vegetation, up to 14 pounds per square foot—erosion protection equivalent to that of 30-inch rock riprap and concrete.
Flexamat is a “Tied Concrete Block Mat”
(Tied Concrete Block Mat is a generic term for Flexamat.)
Flexamat consists of concrete shapes, locked together with a high strength, polypropylene geogrid. There are openings around each concrete block that give Flexamat the flexibility and enable it to be packaged in rolls. The openings also allow vegetation to grow through the mat. Eventually, vegetation will completely cover Flexamat. It can be manufactured with various backings such as non-woven fabric to stop vegetation growth or a TRM (turf re-enforcement mat) depending on the soil conditions and other factors. There’s a wide range of applications where Flexamat is utilized, but it is most commonly used for erosion control. Flexamat is used to control erosion in channels, outlet protection, on slopes, for shoreline protection and many other applications.
Flexamat offers permanent, hard armor protection, with a natural vegetated appearance. Flexamat may be mowed over with commercial mowing equipment or left to grow wild. Besides grass, there are many other types of native plant species that can be planted to grow within the mat. Click here for more information.
Geoweb® Channel Protection System
ECONOMICAL & SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR STABILIZING CHANNELSStabilize soils and prevent erosion on channel embankments exposed to low-to-high flows. Protect geomembrane-lined channels and containment systems. Eliminate the need for costly rip rap in drainage ditches and stormwater swales.
The Presto Geoweb® Channel Protection System is a proven solution for stabilizing and protecting channels exposed to erosive conditions of all types. Whether low or high flows, intermittent or continuous, the Geoweb system can be designed to withstand even the highest velocities. Up to 30 ft/sec (9m/sec) with vegetation. Learn How.