Bio-swales are vegetated swales used to convey stormwater and surface runoff. In essence they are a recreation of ephemeral streams which serve as a natural model. Appropriately designed vegetation in combination with engineered soils and substrate provide bio-filtration of surface runoff. Bio-swales planted with colorful perennials and shrubs are aesthetically pleasing while providing ecological benefits including removal of sediment, excess nutrients and pollutants carried in surface runoff. Bio- swales are an ecologically based means of managing stormwater and are important in low impact development design strategies.