Retention basin
A retention basin, sometimes called a retention pond, wet
It is distinguished from a detention basin, sometimes called a "dry pond", which temporarily stores water after a storm, but eventually empties out at a controlled rate to a downstream water body. It also differs from an infiltration basin which is designed to direct stormwater to groundwater through permeable soils.
Wet ponds are frequently used for water quality improvement,
In urban areas, impervious surfaces (roofs, roads) reduce the time spent by rainfall before entering into the stormwater drainage system. If left unchecked, this will cause widespread flooding downstream. The function of a stormwater pond is to contain this surge and release it slowly. This slow release mitigates the size and intensity of storm-induced flooding on downstream receiving waters. Stormwater ponds also collect suspended sediments, which are often found in high concentrations in stormwater water due to upstream construction and sand applications to roadways.
Design features
Storm water is typically channeled to a retention basin through a system of street and/or parking lot storm drains, and a network of drain channels or underground pipes. The basins are designed to allow relatively large flows of water to enter, but discharges to receiving waters are limited by outlet structures that function only during very large storm events.
Retention ponds are often landscaped with a variety of
Proper depth of retention ponds is important for removal of pollutants and maintenance of fish populations. Urban fishing continues to be one of the fastest growing fishing segments as new suburban neighborhoods are built around these aquatic areas.[citation needed]
Other meanings
A retention basin can also be a part of a nuclear reactor used to contain a core meltdown.
See also
- Balancing lake (UK)
- Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) – US stormwater research project
- Settling basin – for treating agricultural and industrial wastewater
- Stream restoration
- Surface runoff
- Sustainable drainage system
- Urban runoff
- Water pollution
- Jonenbach flood retention basin
References
- ISBN 1-57278-039-8. Chapter 5.
- ^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C. "Preliminary Data Summary of Urban Storm Water Best Management Practices." Chapter 5. August 1999. Document No. EPA-821-R-99-012.
- ^ University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. "If you build it they will come: Frogs flourish in humanmade ponds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 August 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150827154644.htm>.
- ^ Mississippi State University. College of Engineering. Stormwater Retention Basins. Chapter 4, Best Management Practices. Archived 2008-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Urban Drainage & Flood Control District, Denver, CO. Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual. Volume 3, Structural BMPs. Archived 2009-07-31 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Virginia retention basin standards Archived 2006-02-11 at the Wayback Machine
- Detention vs. retention – Harris County, Texas Flood Control District
- Stormwater Ecological Enhancement Project Archived 2005-10-25 at the Wayback Machine – University of Florida
- The use of retention ponds in residential settings
- International Stormwater BMP Database – Performance Data on Urban Stormwater BMPs