Bioretention System
Vegetative Filter Strip
Grass Swale
Bagby Street in Houston, Texas.
Vegetative Filter Strip. Source: Bloomfield.
Grass Swale. Source: Little Falls Watershed Alliance.
GSI System
Definition
GSI Design Types
Suitability
Bioretention Systems These systems use living elements such as plants,
Rain gardens, rain meadows, biofiltration basins, biofilters, bioswales, and stormwater planters
These systems are most suitable for low- high density neighborhoods, mix-use, and in some cases small scale commercial
microorganisms, and soils to remove pollutants from stormwater. Bioretention systems commonly use an engineered mix of highly-permeable natural material that help to remove pollutants. Filter strips and no mow zones are usually gently sloping vegetated areas. These areas are designed to receive and manage sheet flows over the entire area and typically run parallel to impervious surfaces they intend to treat. Grass swales are designed to receive and treat stormwater as water drains slowly over a gently sloped channel. These areas are usually designed to convey stormwater to other GSI systems, but in some instances, such as along a greenway trail, can manage small areas of impervious surface.
Vegetative Filter Strips & No Mow Zones
Vegetative filter strips and no mow areas can be designed with many different plant communities and habitats
These systems are most suitable for low density neighborhoods, park areas, floodplains, along trails, and adjacent to waterways and lacustrine areas These systems are most suitable for low density neighborhoods, park areas, floodplains, along trails, and adjacent to waterways and lacustrine areas
Grass Swale
Swales can be designed with many different plant communities including turf grasses, or taller wet meadow species
GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
104 | East Berry Corridor Study
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