What is the difference between a retention pond and a detention pond?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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Retention ponds maintain a pool of water throughout the year and hold stormwater runoff following storms. Detention ponds hold water for a short period of time; this pond temporarily holds water before it enters the stream. combination of these types of practices is needed to impact nonpoint source pollution.



Then, what is a retaining pond?

A retention basin, sometimes called a wet pond, wet detention basin or stormwater management pond, is an artificial pond with vegetation around the perimeter, and includes a permanent pool of water in its design.

Beside above, what does a detention pond look like? A detention, or dry, pond has an orifice level at the bottom of the basin and does not have a permanent pool of water. All the water runs out between storms and it usually remains dry. A retention basin or pond has a riser and orifice at a higher point and therefore retains a permanent pool of water.

Besides, how does a detention pond work?

Detention ponds are basins that receive and hold runoff for release at a predetermined rate, thereby reducing the peak runoff delivered to storm sewers and streams. Detention ponds are designed to release all captured runoff over time, and do not allow for permanent pooling of water.

Is it bad to live next to a retention pond?

While there are some advantages to living near a retention pond—peace and quiet, green space, fewer neighbors nearby, and a decreased risk of flooding—potential buyers have other factors to consider. For example, there is a constant danger of drowning for families with young children.

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What's the purpose of retention ponds?

It also causes erosion, decreases groundwater recharge and alters aquatic environments. Retention ponds or "wet ponds" are ponds constructed to treat and store stormwater runoff. Retention ponds are permanent pools of standing water and eventually empty into a receiving water body.

Do retention ponds attract mosquitoes?

Since mosquitoes breed in any still water they can find, your retention ponds can become a nuisance to residential neighbors. The solution lies in preventing mosquitoes from breeding, either by breaking up the surface of the water or eliminating mosquito larvae.

How do you build a pond runoff?

How to Create a Retention Pond for Water Runoff
  1. Position the retention pond at a strategic low point in the area it will draw from.
  2. Dig the pond prior to digging the ditches.
  3. Use the backhoe to remove dirt from the center of the pond and position it around the edges, forming the pond's banks.
  4. Determine a location for pond water to exit when water levels run high.

Do ponds help with drainage?


A pond is always a lovely feature to add that also gives a good home to nature and is a great way to aid garden drainage if placed in the correct spot in the garden. However, a pond is a delicate balance that needs time when putting together.

What is a water quality basin?

Basins are meant to collect stormwater and slowly release it at a controlled rate so that downstream areas are not flooded or eroded. While effective for flood control, these practices have significant limitations for water quality treatment and for preventing impacts to stream systems.

How deep is a retention pond?

For these reasons, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that “permanent pool depth should not exceed 20 feet. The optimal depth ranges between three and nine feet for most regions.” Howard likes to make his at least six to eight feet deep.

How much does a retention pond cost?

According to the EPA, typical costs for wet detention ponds range from $17.50-$35.00 per cubic meter ($0.50-$1.00 per cubic foot) of storage area. Dry detention basins typically cost around $10 per square meter ($0.30 per cubic foot) for smaller basins and $5 per square meter ($0.15 per cubic foot) for larger basins.

What is on site detention?

On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD) is a stormwater management technique that enables the runoff discharge rates of individual development sites to be controlled. Properties upstream of a detention basin are not protected from the increased runoff caused by redevelopment.

What is a dry detention basin?


A dry detention basin is an impoundment or excavated basin for the short-term detention of stormwater runoff from a completed development that allows a controlled release from the structure at downstream, pre-development flow rates.

What is the purpose of a rain garden?

All About Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a garden of native shrubs, perennials, and flowers planted in a small depression, which is generally formed on a natural slope. It is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios or lawns.

What does a Bioswale do?

Bioswales work to remove pollutants through vegetation and the soil. As the storm water runoff flows through the bioswale, the pollutants are captured and settled by the leaves and stems of the plants. The pollutants then enter the soil where they decompose or can be broken down by bacteria in healthy soil.

How do you maintain a retention pond?

Keep the earth and dam around your retention pond in good order. The vegetation around your retention pond will reduce the pollutants in the storm water; however, the vegetation should be well maintained and any overgrowth should be reduced. It is also a good idea to remove any new trees that may cause future problems.

Can a retention pond overflow?

When soil becomes compacted, it can't properly absorb water, fertilizers and herbicides, so that water is forced into the pond. If the conditions are bad enough — excessive rain and compacted soil — that can create more water than the retention pond can handle, leading to an overflow.

How do you install a pond drain?


Bottom Drain Installation
  1. At the lowest point of the pond, stub up a 3 inch bottom drain and cap it off.
  2. Pre assemble both the 3 inch bulkhead flange, as well as the 1 1/2 flange by screwing the top flanges onto their bases.
  3. When cementing both bulkheads on to the pipes, align screw in a straight line.
  4. Add cement to hole around drain.

What is the outflow point?

A watershed is an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet such as the outflow of a reservoir, mouth of a bay, or any point along a stream channel. The word "watershed" is sometimes used interchangeably with drainage basin or catchment.

What is an underground detention system?

A stormwater detention vault is an underground structure designed to manage excess stormwater runoff on a developed site, often in an urban setting. Detention vaults manage stormwater quantity flowing to nearby surface waters. They help prevent flooding and can reduce erosion in rivers and streams.