Managing berms and swales to increase the effectiveness of vegetative filter strips around beef cow wintering lots

Description

A system was set up at the Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon farm to evaluate the purification capacity of different configurations of swales planted with shrubs (willow) or perennial grasses (reed canary grass) to serve as vegetative filter strips. Initial results demonstrated the effectiveness of swales in reducing runoff volumes and simulated upstream loads. The project further analyzed on-farm swales and pursued reflection on how to develop and manage such swales.

Objective(s)

• Evaluate the effectiveness of swales and berms in reducing loads in vegetative filter strips around beef cow wintering lots
• Based on the results, draw up a technical sheet with suggestions on how to build on-farm swales in vegetative filter strips
• Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such swales