Design Manual: Biological Filtration Canal (Bioswale)

Dayna Yocum, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of

California, Santa Barbara
Description: A biological filtration canal is
a shallow depression created in the earth
to accept and convey stormwater runoff. A
biological filtration canal uses natural
means, including herbaceous vegetation
and soil, to treat stormwater by filtering
out contaminants being conveyed in the
water. Canals require shallow slopes that
drain well, and function best under light to
moderate runoff conditions (Clar et al.
2004).
Purpose: storm water treatment, pollutant
removal (suspended solids, nitrogen,
phosphorus) by vegetation uptake,
vegetation slows flow down and
encourages sedimentation, cleans water
by biota consumption, encourages
infiltration into the subsurface zone, which
reduces flow volume. Optimum design of
channel dimensions, longitudinal slope,
type of vegetation, and use of check dams
will improve pollutant removal rates.

Figure 1. Bioswale along roadside. Photo

courtesy of CalTrans

Figure 2. Diagram of typical bioswale (adapted from UDFCD 1999)

Table 1. Optimal Design Measurements (City of Salem 2005)

Optimal Design Measurements

Minimum

Maximum

Optimum

Depth (m)

2.5

Bottom Width (m)

Channel Width (m)

12

Length (m)

30

Slope (%)

1%

6%

3%

Sideslope (%)

20%

25%

20%

Drainage Area (hectares)

Vegetation Height (mm)

1
100

4
150

150

Height above Groundwater (m)

Figure 3. Check dam (USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service) (left), diagram of check
dam positioning (adapted from King County 2005) (center), check dam (North Carolina Department
of Environment and Natural Resources) (top right).

Ideal Location: Down-gradient of impermeable

surfaces or contaminated areas. Contributing
area should be less than 4 hectares.

Materials
2

Organic Compost (m )
2

Soil (m )
Tractor
2

Seeds for vegetation and top soil (m )

2

Gravel (m )
2

Small Stones (m )
Shovels
Large stones for check dams

Cost: $2004,000 for a 200m2

bioswale (7m x 30 m), depending on
availability of free labor and materials
such as compost and soil (NCGBTD
2003).

Figure 4. A bioswale (without check dams)

during a storm.

Steps for Construction

1. Identify site according to specifications
a. Contributing drainage area should be less than 4 hectares
b. Canal should be downstream of impervious surfaces
c. Canal must be able to dry between storms the bottom of the canal should be at least 3
feet above the groundwater to prevent bottom from remaining too wet
d. Canal should be at least 30 meters in length and 7 meters in width
e. Residence time of water in the canal should be from 5 10 minutes.
2. Decide on date of construction canal construction should be finished 3 months before
rainy season so that vegetation can fully establish itself
3. Calculate flow and estimate 2-year storm height
The bioswale should be built so that it can
accommodate the flow from the size of a storm that
occurs every two years. This can calculate by
knowing the drainage area, and rainfall intensity for a
2-year storm. Consult an engineer to choose the
depth, length, and width necessary for that flow level.

4. Design canal and decide where to put check dams check dams create shallow ponds
to increase infiltration and settling
a. Check dams should be located such that the upstream limit of ponding from one check
dam is just below the downstream edge of the adjacent check dam.
b. Include orifice at bottom of dam to permit water passage during low flows
c. To prevent mosquito development, check dams should be designed to pond water to a
depth that will infiltrate within 24 hours of the end of the storm.
5. Design inlet to allow peak flows to bypass Figure 5. Bioswale with check dams
- this prevents high velocity flows of large storms from eroding the bioswale
6. Gather materials use table below to do make a list of material quantities
a. To calculate quantity of compost and natural soil add the area of compost and soil
needed for the bottom plus area needed for the slopes:
Quantity of compost (m2) =
length x width of bottom x 0.150m + length x width of lateral section x 0.075m
2
Quantity of soil (m2) =
length x width of bottom x 0.150m + length x width of lateral section x 0.075m
2
b. To calculate quantity of gravel:
Quantity of gravel (m2) = length x width of bottom x 0.150m
c. Seeds for vegetation have enough seeds to cover the area of the bottom:
Area of bottom = length x width of bottom
d. Vegetation must:
i.
Provide a dense cover and strong root structure
ii.
Stand upright in strong water flows
iii.
Tolerate periodic flooding and drought
iv.
Cannot be dormant during rainy season
v.
Should receive sun most of the day
7. Dig canal to specifications determined by diagram (page 1), and calculations of 2-year
storm flow
8. Mix soil and compost together this adds infiltration capacity and nutrients for vegetation
growth. Bioswales with compost added to bed material have been shown to experience
faster growth, thicker coverage, and higher removal efficiency than in bioswales with regular
soil (The Clean Washington Center 1997)
9. Lay gravel to a thickness of 150mm
10.

On top of gravel, lay compost / natural dirt mixture to a thickness of 150mm

11.

12.

13.

Plant and irrigate seed as normal

a. Vegetation should provide a dense cover and a strong root or rhizome structure that
resists erosion (Jurries 2003)
b. Be sure that seed is not inundated for too long during germination this will hinder
growth
c. Seeds should be planted in enough time for the vegetation to be very strong when the
first storm occurs
Construct a flow diversion in the case of early storms flow should be diverted until
vegetation becomes established
Provide maintenance as needed
a. Remove and replant vegetation when it dies this removes metals and pollutants that
have been filtered by plants
b. Remove invasive species
c. Remove sediment when it accumulates
d. Irrigate when needed to maintain vegetation (City of Salem 2005)

Additional Information
1. Note: Soils with more organic matter remove a greater amount of metals due to the high
cation exchange capacity (Jurries 2003)
2. Common Problems with Construction:
a. Workers are unfamiliar with the concept behind bioswales
b. Timing of the construction of the bioswale is delayed and vegetation is unable to
establish itself before storm occurs (Mazer)
c. Excessive compaction of the bioswale subsoil and subsequent failure to correct the
problem
d. Poor timing of bioswale construction, such that the bioswale is inundated with sedimentladen runoff, seeding is washed off by the first rains, or erosion occurs in the bioswale
and turbidity laden waters are discharged
e. Cost cutting occurs in the selection and planting of the vegetation
f. Poor preparation of the swale channel to accept flows, for example check dams are not
installed

This bioswale is located

at the low point of a
grassy area. Goleta, CA

References
CalTrans. "Design of Biofiltration Swales and Strips." Ed. California Department of Transportation.
City of Salem. "What Is a 'Bioswale'?" City of Salem, Oregon Public Works Website, 2005.
Clar, Michael L, Billy J. Barfield, and Thomas P. O'Connor. "Stormwater Best Management Practice
Design Guide, Vegetative Biofilters." 2 (2004).
Jurries, Dennis. "Biofilters (Bioswales, Vegetative Buffers, & Constructed Wetlands) for Storm Water
Discharge Pollution Removal." Ed. State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 2003.
King County. "Surface Water Design Manual." Ed. King County Water and Land Resources Division,
Washington, 2005.
Mazer, Greg. Environmental Limitation to Vegetation Establishment and Growth in Vegetated Stormwater
Biofilters: Center for Urban Water Resources Management.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "Rock Check Dam." Ed.
rockcheckdam.jpg: North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
North Carolina Green Building Technology Database (NCGBTD). "Bioswale Case Studies." North
Carolina Green Building Technology Database, 2003.
The Clean Washington Center and E & A Environmental Consultants, Inc. "Study of Compost Use in
Bioswales for Compost Market Expansion." (1997).
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD). "Conceptual Schematic of Trapezoidal Grass-Lined
Swale Section." 1999.
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service - Illinois. "Rock Check Dam." Ed. urbst905.jpg: Natural
Resource Conservation Service.
Yu, Shaw L, et al. "Field Test of Grassed-Swale Performance in Removing Runoff Pollution." Journal of
Water Resources Planning and Management.May/June 2001 (2001).