Filtering Runoff

Swale site summer 2014

 

PTRC worked in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and a private landowner to install a 300 foot long by 5 foot wide swale to filter water from a golf course tributary. After the swale was constructed, the Maryland State Highway Administration opened a blocked culvert under an adjoining road to allow the water from  the golf course tributary to flow into the swale, instead of directly into Port Tobacco Creek as it was doing.

As the water flows through the swale, nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment are filtered out and the runoff water recharges groundwater.