Assess Swale Baseline
30 minutesGather measurements, inventory, and goals before starting swale water harvesting.
Field context
This workflow is part of 3 niche fields
Complete guide for swale water harvesting — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Gather measurements, inventory, and goals before starting swale water harvesting.
Use calculators to size settings, materials, or schedules for swale water harvesting.
Follow the plan step by step and record actual results in the field or workspace.
Compare planned vs actual outcomes and refine your next iteration.
Calculate swale depth, rain garden sizing, and overflow.
Take photos at each stage to track progress and troubleshoot if results differ from expectations.
Use calipers or precision measuring tools rather than estimating by eye for critical dimensions.
Stop immediately if conditions become unsafe — no project is worth a trip to the emergency room.