Rockflow offers a solution for swales in Sterplein

Rockflow case, 2019

Rockflow tackled a too deep, too steep and difficult to maintain swale in Heel. Water that does not infiltrate quickly enough is led via the gully directly to the buffer from where it infiltrates into the subsoil.

water management, sterplein, case, rockflow, heel, swale, lapinus

The integration of swales in residential areas involves significant urban development challenges. The space available for the collection of excess rainwater is often restricted. As a result a swale must be relatively deep, which means that the sides are often steep. This can create a hazardous situation and makes maintenance difficult, leading to regular problems when the swale becomes overgrown with weeds or blocked with litter. Furthermore, the capacity gradually decreases due to a layer of silt accumulating over time, hindering the infiltration of the water into the soil.

Additionally, traditional swales can only be used for the purpose for which they are intended: the collection of rainwater during heavy showers. The surface is then no longer usable for any other purpose.

New usage opportunities

With Rockflow, a swale acquires new usage opportunities. The design is based on an existing swale design, in which only the infiltration medium is replaced by Rockflow. By installing Rockflow underneath a swale the swale itself becomes shallow enough to allow easy maintenance with a regular mower. Because the gradient of the swale with Rockflow is no steeper than 1:3, there is no obstacle to mowing. In addition, a swale with Rockflow has a flat and load-bearing base (VOSB 18 / 30) making it suitable for use as a park or functional green space. Occasional recreational use is also possible.

Heel (Sterplein), the Netherlands

Project location

Downloads

Rockflow brochure

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3.9 MB

Case study (PDF file)

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268.3 kB

Better buffering

With the addition of a filter system, any suspended particles will be filtered out, providing many years of a perfectly functioning buffer. The filters are essentially stone wool sheets in a replaceable cartridge system allowing for simple and fast maintenance. The stone wool itself is also a large filter. Water discharge to the soil or sewer remains optimum at all times.

Improvement of existing swale

Even existing swales can easily be redesigned using the Lapinus Rockflow system, providing new functionality for the neighbourhood or district.

Rockflow facilitates the construction of swale:

Increased buffer capacity
Easier green maintenance
Green strip available for use by residents

Problematic swale in Heel resolved using Rockflow

The maintenance problems of a swale in Heel were resolved by fitting the swale with a Rockflow water management system*. Water not infiltrating quickly enough is fed directly to the buffer via the storm drains from where it can infiltrate to the surrounding soil.

The swale is now shallow and hardly any lower than its surroundings, and is therefore accessible by a standard lawnmower. The buffer capacity is guaranteed for a long period.

* This 45-metre swale provides water collection over a surface area of 1,350 m2 with a design rain shower of 40 mm in 60 minutes. 304 Rockflow stone wool elements combine to form a total buffer of 55 m3.

Project details

Location	Heel, The Netherlands
Design	40mm in 60 min.
Catchment area	1350 m2
Project volume	55 m3
Rockflow elements	304 pieces

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