If you have ever driven through newer developments, you may have seen that many of them have ponds. These ponds are installed to assist with stormwater damage by giving the water a place to go. There are a couple different types of ponds used in new developments but first, let’s discuss some of the potential damaging effects of stormwater runoff.
Potential Damaging Effects of Stormwater Runoff
There are quite a few damaging effects stormwater can have to your property and the surrounding area. Here are some of the more common examples.
Property Damage
One of the worst things that can happen when there is stormwater runoff is damage to your property. All this extra water can cause erosion and flooding too. When flooding occurs it can continue until it reaches the inside of your home. This is where the major damage occurs.
Water Pollution
As the stormwater runs across properties and streets, it collects all sorts of contaminants. Those contaminants include oil, gas, pet waste, and fertilizer. These items stay with the runoff until the water reaches its final destination. This could be rivers, streams, lakes, or wetlands.
Beach Closures
We all heard about the devastating damage from Hurricane Ian last year. While most people won’t see stormwater runoff in that magnitude, beach closures are still possible. After all, stormwater is full of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that are not safe for humans or animals.
Increased Algae Growth
Algae can grow quickly in stormwater runoff. When algae hits streams, rivers, and lakes, it can kill marine life that comes into contact with it.
Types of Ponds Used in Developments to Prevent Stormwater Damage
Developments normally use one of two types of ponds to prevent stormwater damage. These two types of ponds are called retention ponds and detention ponds.
Retention Ponds
Retention ponds are like a regular pond you would see anywhere. However, they are man-made. These ponds are always filled with water.
This type of pond has a feature that regulates how much water can leave the pond during a specific amount of time. This feature comes in handy when stormwater runoff occurs since it regulates how much water leaves the pond. Too much water never comes out at once.
These ponds can also be used as treatment areas. Natural processes can be used within retention ponds to remove contaminants before the water is released.
Detention Ponds
Detention ponds are man-made reservoirs that hold water when stormwater runoff occurs. These ponds are normally empty the rest of the year.
Since detention ponds begin empty, they don’t require features to regulate how much water is released from them. The goal of these ponds is to simply prevent stormwater runoff from collecting in other areas and damaging properties.
Both of these ponds need to be maintained. Debris needs to be removed. Dredging or pumping out the ponds may be necessary, depending on how much rain has fallen. It is important that these ponds are not ignored, so they work when needed.
Preventing stormwater damage is as simple as taking preventative steps when possible. In developments, that means installing retention or detention ponds. If you live in a development where stormwater runoff is common and you are not receiving the assistance you need to fix the issue, contact our office for a consultation.