Retention Ponds – Detention Ponds – Pond Runoff Clean Up

Both retention (wet ponds) and detention (dry ponds) are used for flood control and stormwater runoff treatment. They are among stormwater facilities used as a critical part of protecting our rivers, lakes and streams from erosion and construction pollutants. Both types of ponds function to settle suspended sediments and other solids that are typically present in stormwater runoff.

Retention Basin or Pond

The retention pond has a permanent pool of water that fluctuates in response to precipitation and runoff. The main prerequisite for the construction of retention basin is space. Most often cited is a minimum contributing area of five hectares for a successful implementation of a retention pond.

Retention ponds are not suited for areas with low precipitation because the basins (ponds) must be able to constantly hold water. This can also be hindered if the soil is highly permeable. It is then advisable to overlay the existing ground with clay blankets. The retention pond is designed to hold runoff for a longer period of time than the detention pond and thus allow

Detention Basin or Pond

The main purpose of the detention (dry pond) is to slow down water flow from a storm event and hold it for a short period of time (usually no more than 24 hours) thus keeping it out of the main waterways and helping to prevent damaging flood events and erosion. The dry pond is more commonly found within urban areas and particularly in drought-prone areas subject to infrequent flash floods.

Both types of ponds have maintenance requirements associated with their upkeep. Call GreenCo today and talk with us about how we can ensure the proper functioning of your retention or detention pond.

GreenCo Pond Maintenance Services

GreenCo offers the following services relating to the ongoing maintenance of detention ponds:

• We can prepare a maintenance schedule to inspect inlet and outlet works to ensure their proper function.
• We can conduct maintenance per schedule, or on an as-needed basis after a storm event. Such maintenance includes
• repairing damage to slide slopes, pond banks, inlet pipe, trickle channels, and outlet structure;
• removing vegetation adjacent to outlet works that may interfere with operation;
• and removing debris/trash from the detention pond and surrounding area and disposing of it properly.