Overview and schedule of general maintenance activities for swales
Overview and schedule of general maintenance activities for swales
Link to this table
| First Year of Operation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity | Frequency | Time Period | Level of Effort | O&M Benefit* |
| Check that there is no ponding | 48 hours after event | All year long | 1 hour | 1 |
| Inspect entire BMP after rainfall | After any event greater than 0.5” | All year long (or during area’s rain season) | 2-4 hours | 1 |
| Correct earthwork if inlet scouring or unwanted flow paths develop | As needed | All year long | >4 hours | 1 |
| Spot reseed bare patches and eroding areas | As needed | First growing season | 2-4 hours | 3,4,5 |
| Supplemental watering during drier periods, particularly if keeping stormwater offline until plant seedlings are established. | As needed | Dry periods | 1-2 hours | 3,4,5 |
| Remove any stormwater diversion or barriers once seedlings are established. | Once | When plants are sufficiently established | 1-2 hours | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Inspect and remove invasive plants and weeds during plant community establishment | Monthly | First growing season | 1-2 hours | 5,6 |
| Mowing (dry swales) side slopes and/or grass filter strip to maintain 4-12” of height | Seasonally | As needed (do not interrupt any vegetative establishment) | 2-4 hours | 1 |
| After First Year of Operation | ||||
| Activity | Frequency | Time Period | Level of Effort | O&M Benefit* |
| Check that there is no ponding | 48 hours after event | All year long | 1 hour | 1 |
| Inspect inlet/outlet structures for structural damage and clogging. | Annually | All year long | 1-2 hours | 1 |
| Correct earthwork if inlet scouring or unwanted flow paths develop | As needed | All year long | >4 hours | 1 |
| Mowing (dry swales) side slopes and/or grass filter to maintain 4-12” of height | Seasonally | All year long | 2-4 hours | 1 |
| Inspect for trash and debris | Seasonally | All year long | 2-4 hours | 1,5 |
| Check for evidence of clogging in the pre-treatment device and/or in the main treatment area. | Biannually | In spring and fall | 1-2 hours | 1 |
| Inspect and remove excess sediment in the pre-treatment device and/or in the main treatment area. | Annually | In spring (post- snowmelt) and fall | 4 hours if removal is needed | 1 |
| Inspect plant composition and health and replace as needed (maintain >95% vegetative cover) | Biannually | In fall or spring | 4 hours if plant replacement is needed | 4,5 |
| Prune and weed to maintain appearance and proper vegetative cover | As needed | Growing season | 1-2 hours | 4,5,6, |
| After 5+ Years of Operation (non-routine maintenance) | ||||
| Activity | Frequency | Time Period | Level of Effort per Visit | O&M Benefit* |
| After long term operation of the practice, some occasional and infrequent maintenance activities might be required, such as bigger repairs, soil regeneration, or redesign of key elements of the practice. | As needed | As needed | Could be significant depending on the activity | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Key to Maintenance Benefits:
| ||||