As soon as the swales were completed, we had a little rain.

Amazing! They work! Well, they work with a mild amount of rain ... Not sure what will happen in a deluge - but certainly good signs.

As can be seen in the photo above, there is a fair amount of dampness, as well as some silt that has settled above the stones. This is a clear indication of water collection and retention with the swale holding the water long enough to let it be absorbed into the earth.