January 2016 we installed our first swale.  We meant to install them in Fall before the rains, but weren't able to do it in time.  We were able to get them in before the spring rains :)

The land is rather flat.  However there is about a 150 cm (5 foot) difference in grade from the high point of the property to the low point.  The hight point of the property was unplanted and was showing erosion from the rain taking the topsoil downhill.  So we decided to put our first swale near the high point and then later add a swale lower down grade.  The land is contoured in a U shape with the open end of the U facing the house.