A swale is an earthwork system, built on contour to slow and capture water & allow it to infiltrate the soil. Swales are great tree growing systems but can also feed other plants and may revitalize underground springs that have dried up due to drought or overuse. They can be dug by hand, or larger swales can be created with machinery. Please make sure that you know where your utility lines, especially irrigation, and plumbing are located before attempting any digging!

I have witnessed the change in landscapes after digging swales on contour. The plant growth around a swale or downhill from swales becomes lush. A swale can be used to capture your laundry water if you are using environmentally safe soaps. Gutter runoff from roofs can also be steered to flow into swales, if there is no other current means to hold water for longer periods of time. Another benefit to a swale is taking the destructive energy out of water running down hill from a hard surface (a street, parking lot, patio, driveway) & allowing it to slowly move water on contour. Swales can be a cheap alternative to water capture. Depending on the width, length, & depth of a small swale, it can capture 100’s to 1,000’s of gallons of water without the need for a tank. Keep in mind, however, that the swale will not hold water indefinitely. It is meant to create a slow soak into the ground. This is crucial in desert environments. The higher up in the landscape a swale can be created, the benefits to the groundwater tables increase. Springs can resurface and intermittent desert creeks could regain their continual life giving streams again. Water should not be exposed to desert environments where it evaporates, it needs to be allowed to soak underground. That is why tree cover is important to swales, allowing shade and slowing evaporation. Swales can be cleaned out after catching organic debris and the debris can be laid on garden beds to amend the soil. Swales, in time, can become their own habitat which supports birds and small animal species. The bottom of swales does not always have to be level. Small holes, or catchment ponds can be incorporated along the swale route, as long as the top is level to allow flow to continue down the swale. This is just a quick explanation of swales. Further research or help from someone who has swale experience will be helpful in creating your first swale. If you live in the Prescott area, feel free to contact me for a consultation and we can discuss the use of swales on your property. Here are a few examples of small, hand dug swales…..