Swale stormwater controls may be used to model a range of stormwater controls including, but not limited to, wet swales, vegetated, dry swales, French drains, filter trenches, infiltration trenches, trench soakaways, wadis, all with and without under drain pipes.

Total Volume

The Total Volume value shown in the bottom-right corner of the data form shows the volume available in the system up to the Freeboard level.

Swale: Dimensions

 The depth within the Swale area is determined from two of the following three parameters, with the third automatically calculated based on the option selected:

• Exceedence Level - Represents the level (above datum) of the stormwater control above which flooding is reported.  This may be the level that interacts with the ground surface or the top of an embankment, whichever is higher. An overflow or spillway crest level may be specified at a lower level as part of the outlet control details. If a Surface Data model (TIN) is present the Exceedence Level will automatically be picked up from the centre of the icon or from the lowest point on the bioretention perimeter if an outline has been drawn. This combined with the Freeboard setting allows a Status of Flood Risk to be assigned to the system on the Summary. For stormwater controls on a slope the Exceedence level applies to the downstream (lowest) end. Above the Exceedence Level, water will be stored above the ground and then allowed to drain back into the network. The default ponding area used for the flooded volume is 1000m² .
• Depth - Represents the depth of the Swale.
• Base Level - Represents the level (above datum) of the base of the Swale (or top of the Trench if used). For structures on a slope the invert level applies to the downstream (lowest) end.

The cross sectional area of the Swale area is then determined from the Top Width, Side Slope and Base Width. As per the depth calculation when two values are specified the third will automatically be calculated based on the option selected:

• Top Width - The width at the top of the Swale.
• Side Slope - Side Slope of the Swale.
• Base Width - The width at the bottom of the Swale. This also gives the width of the Trench section if it is being used.

 Freeboard - Controls how close to the specified Exceedence Level the water must reach before the Status (on the Summary) shows Flood Risk.

Length - The maximum path length through the stormwater control, used only for the purpose of calculating Time of Travel. The Length will be automatically set from the dimensions of the stormwater control unless over typed, in which case it is set to "user specified". 

Longitudinal Slope - Slope along the length of the stormwater control.

Filtration Rate - Defines the filtration rate from the Swale into the Trench if used.

Trench:

Trench Depth - The depth of the trench

Trench Void Ratio - The percentage of the trench that is available for storage. This is dictated by the type of fill material that is used. I.e. Typically 30% for rubble.

Under Drain: Specifies whether a pipe or conduit under drain is present in the lowest layer of the filter area. If under drain is on the following can be specified:

Height Above Base - Height of the invert of the pipe above the base of the bioretention system.

Diameter - Defines the diameter of the pipe/s.

No of Barrels - Represents the number of pipes.

Velocity Calculation Type - Specifies the formula used to calculate velocity and time of travel. Select from: Manning's, and Colebrook-White. The variable below the combo box depends on the Velocity Calculation Type selected.

n - Manning’s n roughness value. Used by the Manning Formula equation to calculate the velocity and therefore time of travel when using the Manning's Velocity Calculation Type.

Roughness - Colebrook-White roughness value. Used by the Colebrook-White Formula equation to calculate the velocity and therefore time of travel when using the Colebrook-White Velocity Calculation Type.

Release Height - Height above the invert of the under drain pipe at which the water is released (marked in red on the diagram below). This is commonly used to create a saturated zone.

Sizing Calculator

The Sizing Calculator option allows the user to re-size the Swale by specifying a volume and a parameter to modify to achieve that volume. The Sizing Calculator is discussed in more detail in the Stormwater Control Sizing Calculator section.

Swale: Inlets

Explore the Inlets page for more details on the different types of Inlets that can be specified.

Swale: Outlets

Explore the  Outlets page for more details on the different types of Outlets that can be specified.

Swale: Advanced

Swale:

Base infiltration rate - Defines the rate of infiltration through the base of the filter area. This should be determined from a performance site test.

Side infiltration rate - Defines the rate of infiltration through the sides of the filter area. This should be determined from a performance site test.

Void Ratio - The percentage of the swale that is available for storage. This is dictated by the type of fill material that is used. I.e. 100% if empty or typically 30% for rubble.

Interception Volume - For the combined ponding and filter area. The volume of water that enters the stormwater control that is permanently held within it. Once full it can be emptied by evapotranspiration only. 

Evapotranspiration - The amount of water lost to the environment due to evaporation, transpiration and evapotranspiration. Used by the software during analysis. First the evapotranspiration removes water held in the swale, then it removes water from the interception storage volume.

Horizontal Retention - Specifies the time for water to pass from the inlet to the outlet in the horizontal direction. This is used in the Analysis of SWC/Junctions method to calculate velocity, flow and volume for each timestep.The value can be calculated based on the dimensions of the system in several ways:

• Manning's equation - The software can determine the retention time based on the dimensions will be used to determine the travel time using the Manning Formula equation. To do this a Manning's n value must first be specified on the calculator. The calculated velocity will then be applied to the Length of the system to determine the retention time.
• Colebrook-White equation - The software can determine the retention time based on the dimensions will be used to determine the travel time using the Colebrook-White Formula equation. To do this a Colebrook-White roughness value must first be specified on the calculator. The calculated velocity will then be applied to the Length of the system to determine the retention time.
• User Specified - If the retention time is a know value it can simply be entered into the field to bypass any calculations.

Retention Coefficient - Analysis of SWC/Junctions attenuation coefficient for the swale – scalar value between 0.1 and 0.5. This will be calculated automatically from the dimensions of the system using Muskingum-Cunge. Alternatively the value can be entered by the user if known to bypass any calculations.

Trench:

Base infiltration rate - Defines the rate of infiltration through the base of the filter area. This should be determined from a performance site test.

Side infiltration rate - Defines the rate of infiltration through the sides of the filter area. This should be determined from a performance site test.

Interception Volume - The volume of water that enters the stormwater control that is permanently held within it. Once full it can be emptied by evapotranspiration only. 

Evapotranspiration - The amount of water lost to the environment due to evaporation, transpiration and evapotranspiration. Used by the software during analysis. First the evapotranspiration removes water held in the swale, then it removes water from the interception storage volume. Note: This is only available if the Swale is turned off.

Horizontal Retention - Specifies the time  for water to pass from the inlet to the outlet in the horizontal direction. This is used in the Muskingum method to calculate velocity, flow and volume for each timestep.The value can be calculated based on the dimensions of the system in several ways:

• Under Drain - If the Under Drain is being used, its dimensions will be used to determine the travel time using either the Manning's equation or the Colebrook-White equation.
• Hydraulic Conductivity - Without the under drain the software can determine the retention time based on the filter rate within the system, which can be entered on the calculator. This will then be applied to the Length of the system to determine a retention time.
• User Specified - If the retention time is a know value it can simply be entered into the field to bypass any calculations.

Vertical Retention - Specifies the time for water to pass from the inlet to the outlet in the vertical direction. This is used in the Analysis of SWC/Junctions method to calculate velocity, flow and volume for each timestep. The value can be calculated based on the dimensions of the system in several ways:

• Hydraulic Conductivity - The software can determine the retention time based on the filter rate within the system, which can be entered on the calculator. This will then be applied to the depth of the trench to determine the retention time.
• User Specified - If the retention time is a know value it can simply be entered into the field to bypass any calculations.

Retention Coefficient - Analysis of SWC/Junctions attenuation coefficient for the trench – scalar value between 0.1 and 0.5. This will be calculated automatically from the dimensions of the system using Muskingum-Cunge. Alternatively the value can be entered by the user if known to bypass any calculations.

Swale: Pollution

Name - Name of pollutants. This is populated based on the Pollutants set up as part of the Site Data.

Aspect - A section that details if the pollutant is Swale or Trench.

Concentration - Value below which the pollution concentration cannot fall during analysis. When concentration reaches this level, no further removal occurs.

Method -  Percentage Removal or  First Order Decay method can be chosen. Click on the links for more information about each method.

Percentage Removal - Available if Percentage Removal entered. The value entered will be deducted from the Inflow into the system. 

τ - The decay time constant or (mean) lifetime of the pollutant. It can be entered manually or calculated from the decay constant or decay half-life. See Pollutant Removal Method - First Order Decay for more details.