Bioswale considerations...

a good example of a "bioswale" here at UC Berkley

The caption from the website listed below: "Rainwater run-off from the cement paths at UC Berkeley are diverted to this vegetated area, a "bioswale". The stormwater is slowed, and infiltrates into the ground preventing runoff into the nearby creek."

http://greywateraction.org/content/test-page-0

This model seems applicable to our sidewalk bioswale approach, because the water is so much naturally diverted in this direction because of the slopes of the sidewalk and land around the house.  (There doesn't seem to be much of a cement barrier where the swale meets the road here.)  However, we have much much less width possible.  The question of how 'bushy' to make it with less width is also in question here, too.  Using sedges primarily may be the best option for us to keep it not too bushy, still attractive for the street, and not going to cause problems for utility maintenance.  

Just a note.