Retention Ponds
Stormwater Retention Ponds
A stormwater retention pond or wet detention basin helps control both stormwater quantity and quality. Retention ponds are vegetated systems designed to hold a permanent pool of standing water at all times with additional capacity during and after a rain event. They are designed to capture, store, and treat stormwater runoff with discharges controlled by an engineered device.
The Function of Retention Ponds
Retention ponds are typically found in urban and residential areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces, such as shopping centers, apartment complexes, parks, and other large paved areas.
Stormwater wet detention ponds are designed to accept and store stormwater during highwater events. This increases the overall flood storage of a system and reduces damages caused by flooding by retaining stormwater long enough to reduce the peak flow downstream. Water is diverted to a wet retention pond by a network of underground pipes connecting storm drains to the pond. The pond’s natural processes then work to remove pollutants. The system allows for large amounts of water to enter the pond, and the outlet empties controlled amounts of water to a downstream water body. Through our maintenance programs, we monitor, provide inspections, and alert property owners to any deficiencies that may impact the pond.
Stormwater Pond Shorelines
Stormwater retention ponds are typically surrounded by natural vegetation to improve bank stability and improve aesthetic benefits. This landscape typically includes a variety of grass, shrubs, and wetland plants. This vegetation offers numerous benefits, including removing soluble nutrients through uptake and minimizing the transfer of pollutants and chemicals into nearby water bodies.
Extending the Life of Your Stormwater System
Importance and Benefits of Retention Pond Management
By holding water back like a dam, wet retention ponds help prevent potential flood damage to nearby communities and minimize erosion in the nearby area and along the banks of downstream water bodies. The captured water is pre-treated to help improve water quality in surrounding and downstream water bodies.
Some other benefits of stormwater retention ponds include:
- Assists with flood prevention and management
- Improves water quality in surrounding water bodies
- Aesthetically appealing
- Minimizes downstream erosion of natural water bodies
- Increases biodiversity
- Provides habitats for wildlife
- Assists with water conservation
Prolong The Life of Your Stormwater System
AQUALIS offers comprehensive maintenance and regular servicing solutions tailored to your property to ensure your stormwater systems operate correctly while extending the life of your investment and avoiding costly violations.
Additional Aboveground SCMs
Stormwater asset designed to temporarily hold volumes of water during and shortly after a rain event.
Stormwater asset designed to allow runoff to infiltrate therefore improving water quality while slowing water velocity.
Gabion Baskets
Stormwater asset that prevents erosion by stabilizing and retaining sediment.
Stormwater assets that utilize vegetation to mimic natural processes like infiltration.
Entry and exit points for stormwater conveyance.
Stormwater asset that allows for natural runoff infiltration to restore ground water supply.
Stormwater asset that disperses runoff along a concrete channel, reducing erosion.
Rehabilitating a Retention Pond
Retention ponds allow stormwater to filter through the system at a controlled rate to either return to the ground water table or continue downstream. Eventually, as vegetation matures, it impedes this natural process, causing the pond to fail.
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