Spread heavy clay soil throughout the pond bed so that you have at least a 1-foot thickness throughout. Use the heavy machinery to tamp down this clay layer so that it is for all practical purposes seamless. This will ensure that the pond is capable of retaining water indefinitely.
Full Answer
Is it safe to live near a retention pond?
The city recently converted a flood retention ... time to fill the pond in bitterly cold temperatures with wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero. "It gives kids a safe place to go play ...
How to design a stormwater retention pond?
by including an underground storm water management system when they construct their streets and roads. Instead of having each building or development create its own ‘retention pond’, the homes and commercial buildings direct storm overflows into the ...
How to create a retention pond for water runoff?
Retention ponds, also known as stormwater retention basins or man-made lakes:
- Store rainfall runoff from streets and adjacent lands
- Are an efficient and cost-effective land drainage system, because fewer and smaller pipes can be used to carry runoff to the rivers
- Benefit our environment by acting as a natural filter - they help to remove sediment and chemicals before the water drains to our rivers
How deep are retention ponds?
These structures are called retention ponds. How deep should a retention pond be? Retention ponds are usually 3 – 9 feet deep. Do retention ponds have fish? Retention ponds are known to have fish. Why are ponds dangerous? Retention pond water can become contaminated with dangerous bacteria. How far should a pond be from a house?
How do you build a water retention pond?
Position the retention pond at a strategic low point in the area it will draw from. ... Dig the pond prior to digging the ditches. ... Use the backhoe to remove dirt from the center of the pond and position it around the edges, forming the pond's banks. ... Determine a location for pond water to exit when water levels run high.More items...
Do retention ponds need to be dredged?
By far, the best way to help ensure your stormwater retention ponds stay clean and clear is to have them dredged once or twice a year. Mechanical dredging will remove the bottom layer of organic muck that's responsible for the nuisance algae outbreaks.
How do you install a retention pond?
1:0715:49How to Install RETENTION POND LINER at Bloomingdale ProjectYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now it's actually hit finally stable ground we're gonna be putting fabric down on all this todayMoreAnd now it's actually hit finally stable ground we're gonna be putting fabric down on all this today we dug a trench out we put some fabric down inside we put our drain tile.
How do I build a small retention pond?
0:003:41Retention Pond Project - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll that out and put that up here on the way don't waste that over there on top of the hill. AndMoreAll that out and put that up here on the way don't waste that over there on top of the hill. And then backfill that with gravel and stuff I'm gonna dig all this 7 min out of this little 4 bay here.
How do I keep my pond from filling with sediment?
A berm, or ridge, around the edge of the pond will prevent much of this debris from entering the water and trap with it, all the organic and inorganic material in that runoff. Allowing grasses and other vegetation to cover the berm will also help its retention of the water and debris.
How do you clean sediment out of a pond?
0:132:00How to Clean Up Mucky Pond Sediments - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is where a lot of the pond muck and sludge will accumulate. So i take this puck. Simply toss itMoreThis is where a lot of the pond muck and sludge will accumulate. So i take this puck. Simply toss it to that area. And let it sink to the bottom and it'll slow release.
How do retention ponds reduce flooding?
Ponds can be designed to control runoff from all storms by storing surface drainage and releasing it slowly once the risk of flooding has passed. Runoff from each rain event is detained and treated in the pond.
What is the difference between a detention basin and a retention basin?
By definition, a detention BMP is an area where stormwater is temporarily stored, or detained, and is eventually allowed to drain slowly when water levels recede in the receiving channel. On the other hand, retention stormwater BMPs hold or retain stormwater on a more permanent basis.
Do retention ponds overflow?
They are surrounded by natural vegetation which helps prevent erosion. Retention ponds are fed by underground pipes, which allows high quantities of water to fill the pond. A small outlet allows some water to flow out so that the pond does not overflow.
How do retention pond work?
Retention ponds are one solution to the problem of stormwater. These ponds collect stormwater as it runs off from the watershed, and they release them at a predetermined and slower rate via a low-flow orifice to avoid causing damage to the surrounding environment.
How do you size a retention basin?
Any rules of thumb for estimating the size of a retention pond? for planning purposes use 5-10% of the drainage area. larger sites/less impervious coverage require smaller percentages, smaller sites/more impervious coverage require larger percentage...
Do retention ponds smell?
Unmaintained retention ponds can become a source of unpleasant smells as well as mosquito breeding grounds, toxins in the groundwater and cause other aesthetic issues. If your retention pond is giving off an unpleasant smell, call the experts at PowerVac today.
Why are retention ponds important?
Beyond the superficial benefits of recreational use, retention ponds often serve a vital role for the surrounding landscape as reservoirs that help manage and disperse excess runoff from heavy rains. These ponds are designed to efficiently collect water from a wide swath of land and then, as the name suggests, retain it indefinitely.
How to exit a pond when water levels are high?
Determine a location for pond water to exit when water levels run high. For this purpose, you may want to build the banks up higher than you actually intend them to go, and then leave a gap where you plan for any excess water to escape. You'll need to create a path leading away from the pond toward a creek, stream or river. You'll also need the local government's permission to do so before you introduce a new tributary to the local water table.
How deep should a pond be for fish?
Additionally, you'll want a minimum depth of 12 to 15 feet for keeping fish, if you desire. Advertisement.
What is a wet retention pond?
Wet retention ponds are a stormwater control structure that provides retention and treatment of contaminated stormwater runoff. By capturing and retaining stormwater runoff, wet retention ponds control stormwater quantity and quality. The ponds natural processes then work to remove pollutants. Retention ponds should be surrounded by natural ...
Why should a retention pond be surrounded by natural vegetation?
Retention ponds should be surrounded by natural vegetation to improve bank stability and improve aesthetic benefits. Water is diverted to a wet retention pond by a network of underground pipes connecting storm drains to the pond.
What is retention basin?
A retention basin or pond has a riser and orifice at a higher point and therefore retains a permanent pool of water. A retention pond looks like a regular pond, but plays an important role in controlling stormwater runoff.
What is the difference between a retention basin and a detention basin?
The main difference between a detention basin or retention basin, is the presence or absence of a permanent pool of water, or pond. The water level is controlled by a low flow orifice. In most cases, the orifice is part of a metal or concrete structure called a riser.
How does a dry detention pond work?
Dry detention ponds generally use a very small slope to divert water. The inlet needs to be not more than 15% higher than the outlet to ensure the correct amount of water flow through the system. The system works by allowing a large collection area, or basin, for the water.
What are basins meant to do?
Basins are meant to collect the water, and release it at a rate the prevents flooding or erosion. There are two main types of basins--detention and retention--and we will take a look at each of those today.
Why are basins important?
The basins are important for storing and slowing stormwater runoff from nearby areas, especially areas with as phalt or concrete development. Stormwater runoff flows much faster from these surfaces than naturally occurring areas and needs to be diverted to ensure the runoff occurs at the desired rate. The amount of cleaning and treatment of the ...
Why are retention ponds important?
Retention ponds are permanent structures designed to hold water flow for a short period of time, similar to a dam. In response to a storm, the pond’s water level fluctuates, reducing risk and saving the community from potential flood damage ...
What happens to pond water in a storm?
In response to a storm, the pond’s water level fluctuates, reducing risk and saving the community from potential flood damage and costly repairs.
Is it safe to live near 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.
How much does it cost to build a retention pond?
As a ballpark number, it can cost between 20 and 40 thousand dollars per acre to build a retention pond, but again, this isn’t fixed in stone. It will depend on many variables that will be defined along the way.
How long does it take for a retention pond to flow?
The pond’s basin size is calculated to be able to hold the excess water and let it flow through the outlet in a slow flow, usually over 12 to 24 hours. A retention pond in a farm or ranch helps manage possible flood risk and provides water all year round for the activities in the area.
What is a detention pond?
A detention pond usually looks like a grassy area, located lower than its surroundings. When the rain comes, the stormwater runoff is directed to this area, the objective being to collect all the excess water into the pond. The pond’s design will help remove any foreign objects or sediment from the water before releasing it into a nearby water body or stream.
What is a pond basin called?
These basins are called ponds. Depending on their design, they can be retention ponds (wet ponds) or detention ponds (dry ponds ). For urban areas, detention ponds are more usual, because they require lower pond maintenance.
How wide should a wetland be?
The wetland should be at least 3 feet wide; keep in mind it is built not only with a functional purpose, but also for safety reasons, to provide a safe zone for a person or animal that could stray into the pond area. Taken from Pitt, R. Stormwater Quality Management.
Why is stormwater management important?
As civilization reaches deeper into the belly of our country, managing the flood risk near the populated areas and the production areas becomes a necessity. Stormwater management is important in areas with flood risk, as is the Central Area in the state of Texas (including the Houston area) and in some nearby states like Colorado and Louisiana.
Is a retention pond easy to build?
Retention pond construction isn’t a simple or easy task. There is a lot to be taken into account when building a retention pond, especially in places where it will not only aid flood control but will serve a purpose like irrigation in farmlands or providing water for animal breeding.
How are fish populations controlled?
Fish populations are controlled naturally through a healthy balance of prey and predator species. Each contributing to algae control, keeping midge fly populations down and controlling mosquito populations. Bottom feeders are also introduced to help the overall quality of the water and aquatic weed populations.
What is the Orange County Stormwater Management Division?
Orange County Stormwater Management Division uses herbicides that are “far less toxic than herbicides used in most agricultural operations or even those pesticides used in the home”. These herbicides are to get rid of unwanted vegetation and surrounding weeds.
Can turtles help with algae?
There’s even an option to introduce turtles to help with algae or insects providing not only another benefit but a nice aesthetically pleasing addition. These changes won’t improve retention ponds overnight. Within a few years and the introduction of these species, slowly the ponds will become self-sufficient.
Do retention ponds collect stormwater?
Initially introduced as a way for stormwater runoff collection, over the years retention ponds have become more and more abundant. In a sense, they do collect all the runoff from the numerous thunderstorms Florida sees throughout the years but that’s all they do. They collect more and more water with some ponds not seeing an outlet water flow.
How does a pond system stabilize organic matter?
Pond systems stabilize organic material through natural processes involving sunlight, water, nutrients, algae, atmospheric oxygen and bacterial action. Organic matter in the wastewater is broken down by aerobic bacteria and oxygen found in the pond.
How much BOD can a pond eliminate?
The pond system can eliminate 80% to 90% of the BOD and reduce bacteria to levels comparable to other accepted oxidation types of treatment. This type of treatment system meets the needs of many small or rural communities due to low construction costs as well minimal operation and maintenance requirements.
What is the most commonly used pond in domestic wastewater treatment?
The most often used ponds in domestic wastewater treatment are the stabilization pond and facultative lagoon . The stabilization pond is designed to be aerobic throughout its depth and the facultative lagoon will be anaerobic at the bottom and aerobic at the top.
How deep should a pond be for a facultative lagoon?
Facultative lagoons are similar in design to stabilization ponds except design depth is five to eight feet. These ponds do not require primary treatment and the added depth is needed to handle the substantial increase in solids loadings. It is common for the depth near the inlets to be 10 to 12 feet.
How deep is the first pond?
The first pond or the first half of the first pond will be a facultative lagoon with depths of approximately 10 feet. The rest of the pond system will be stabilization ponds with depths of three to five feet.
What is the purpose of stabilization ponds?
Stabilization ponds provide secondary biological treatment and are the most commonly used wastewater pond.
What causes DO levels to decline in ponds?
Surface levels will have higher DO levels and as the depth increases it becomes more difficult for sunlight to penetrate therefore DO levels decline. Ponds use a multitude of organisms in the treatment process. Bacteria, algae, protozoa, and insects all have a part of the treatment in a pond system.
Why are stormwater retention ponds important?
Stormwater retention ponds are designed to minimize the adverse effects that impervious surfaces have on watersheds. Impervious surfaces (ie. paved surfaces, buildings, etc.) increase the volume of surface runoff in a watershed because they prevent rain water from infiltrating into the soil. Also, pollutants that collect on impervious surfaces are ...
What is the part of a pond that permanently retains water called?
The Basin: Every stormwater pond has an excavated basin with a specific volume. The part of the basin that permanently retains water is known as the treatment pool. The empty space above the treatment pool to the top of the bank slopes is known as the temporary storage which fills and drains with each storm event.
How deep is a stormwater treatment pool?
In most cases the treatment pool has an average depth of 4 to 6 feet, which has been shown to limit submerged vegetation and provide the necessary treatment and sediment capture. Parts that are common to all stormwater ponds: The Basin: Every stormwater pond has an excavated basin with a specific volume.
How does a stormwater basin work?
The basin is designed to fill with water during the storm and discharge the water through an outlet structure which releases water at a rate similar to the rate of flow before the watershed was developed . To capture runoff, each stormwater pond must have an empty space that can fill with water during the storm.
What is a stormwater pond?
Water Quality Protection: Stormwater ponds are designed to permanently retain water in the bas in. This volume of water is known as the permanent pool or treatment pool. In South Carolina, the treatment pool must be the same volume as if 1 inch of rainfall were to fall on the watershed that drains to the pond.
What happens if a pond drains after a storm?
On occasion, the outlet pipe can collapse or become clogged below ground. This will cause the pond to drain slowly and have elevated water levels beyond 24 hours after the storm . If you suspect a blockage in your pipes, you should consult with your municipal stormwater division or have an engineer inspect the outlet.
Where are the forebays in a pond?
Forebays may lie within the basin or may be depressed areas outside of the basin. Littoral Shelf: The submerged area near the edge of the pond where the sunlight can penetrate through the water to the bottom is the littoral zone .