Sarah Nordseth

thank you! We're still in the process of observing the site during the rainy season, so I'm not sure exactly where we're at with volume. We want to channel and sink the water so it isn't getting this flat, lower point on the land soggy. We also want to utilize the space for water-loving plants by redirecting the water.

I'm designing a swale on a client's site located in Virginia's Appalachian foothills, and would appreciate any recommendations you all have from your experience. We want to channel water coming from a spring that travels around 50 ft. across grass (with about a 10 foot decrease in elevation) before hitting an old degraded pond (now dry). Average rainfall peaks at 3.83" in May and Sept. The spring enters into a dry creek bed that continues to the upper and low edge of the property. I would like to dig a swale that channels the water allowing for water loving plants to fill in densely on the sides. I've read it's best to cut the channel slightly off contour at a 1-3% drop rather than allow it to run straight down. Do you all have any more recommendations or online resources that could inform this design? thanks!