A Bioswale and Rain Garden with Storm Drain – Utah
A bioswale and rain garden system located along a housing development in West Jordan, a suburb of Salt Lake City in northern Utah, part of the urban corridor known as the Wasatch Front.
A storm drain integrated within a bioswale and rain garden is a hybrid stormwater management system designed to handle excess runoff while enhancing filtration and environmental benefits. In such a setup, the bioswale and rain garden are the primary features for capturing, slowing, and filtering stormwater from nearby impervious surfaces. They are designed with vegetation, permeable soil, and sometimes rock channels to allow water to percolate naturally into the ground.
The storm drain serves as a secondary or overflow mechanism within this system. When heavy rains or extreme runoff exceed the capacity of the bioswale and rain garden, the excess water is directed into the storm drain to prevent flooding. The storm drain is strategically placed, often at the lowest point of the bioswale or rain garden, to capture overflow only when necessary. This combined approach not only reduces the burden on traditional stormwater infrastructure but also improves water quality and reduces localized flooding by using natural filtration as the first line of defense.
Such systems are commonly found in urban or suburban settings where sustainable green infrastructure is prioritized, blending engineered solutions with natural processes for maximum efficiency and ecological benefit.
