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You can see how the terrain is sculpted into an S-shape bisowale which slows the water and allows it to filter into the ground naturally.

Brandywine Ct. Bioswale

You can see how the terrain is sculpted into an S-shape bisowale which slows the water and allows it to filter into the ground naturally.

Where is this located? It is located along a small trail that starts at the cul-de-sac on Brandywine Court.

What’s special about this place? What’s special about this place? Under the grassy vegetation is a bioswale built into a terrain of twists and bends that slow down runoff. Visit here on a rainy day and it will be boggy. In addition to filtering stormwater runoff, the grass cover prevents erosion and helps along the removal of pollutants through biological processes in the soil. For its size, this bioswale does a remarkable job of storing and infiltrating water as well as removing pollution.

About Bioswales

Bioswales are shallow, landscaped ditches designed to filter out sediment and other pollutants out of runoff as they move water from one point to another. Basic bioswales are a gently sloping ditch planted with grass which are designed to slow the water down enough to allow sediment to settle out. Some newer bioswales have a layer of prepared soil (sand, soil, and compost), with sand, crushed rock, and gravel underground, and are planted with hardy native plants that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. After the runoff has been filtered through plants and soil, treated water flows downstream.

Water Quality Benefit: Bioswales help improve water quality by slowing and filtering stormwater. Living material in the plants and soil captures and biologically degrades pollutants, while absorbing some nutrients, but generally does not treat dissolved metals.

Water Quantity Benefit: When possible, some bioswales are designed for infiltration. In areas where the soil allows water to soak in, bioswales slow the speed of the runoff to reduce flooding, while recharging groundwater. The plants in bioswales also soak up some water which then evaporates during the growing season.

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Drains 13 acres or 8 city blocks.

Where does this water come from? Stormwater at this site comes from about 13 acres (8 blocks) of homes, yards, and streets of Brandywine Court and Brandywine Way.

Where does this water flow next? Runoff from the Brandywine site flows down a small creek adjacent to the Klipsun Trail to a pipe that takes it to the St. Clair Pond, Fever Creek, and Whatcom Creek.

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St. Clair Pond
Roslyn Pl. and New Haven Pl. Bioswale