Problem

What is the best way to model a swale in the storm and sanitary products?

Solution

Assuming the swale is similar to an open channel, the best way to model a swale would be to model it as a channel. The channel element is now available in all storm and sanitary products, so it can be used in any storm and sanitary product.

The channel element is defined by the cross-section element used as the end nodes. The cross-section includes the ground and invert elevations, material, and roughness type. A user can also define the type of channel it is: Trapezoidal Cross Section or Irregular Section. Depending on the Section Type that is chosen, you have different options to define the channel. For a Trapezoidal Cross Section, the user enters the right and left side slopes, channel bottom width, and channel height. For the Irregular Cross Section, the user enters the channel cross-section with the elevation relative to the invert elevation entered in the cross section properties.

You will need to define the cross-sections on either end of the channel link element. In the channel element itself, you can define the invert elevation (if different from the cross-section element) and the user-defined length. Otherwise all channel data is defined in the cross-section.

If you have flow going directly to the channel from a catchment without first going through a storm sewer pipe system, you can set the catchment's "Outflow Element" to the cross-section. Flow will then go directly to the channel without the need to pass it through inlets, manholes, or conduits.

See Also

Error message when validating model: "Elevation (Relative) values within the Irregular shape definition must be non-negative."

Modeling check dams in a channel