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Water Detention Basin

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  1. Departments
  2. Water Resources
  3. What We Do
  4. Stormwater
  5. BMP and Detention Ponds
  6. Water Detention Basin
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Water Detention Basin




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Water Detention Basin

Traditional BMP

Water detention basins are constructed shallow stormwater ponds or landscaped areas with a permanent pool of water.


Maintaining Wet Detention Basins

Routine maintenance should be performed on wet detention basins. During the first year that the wet detention basin is built, maintenance may be required at a higher frequency to ensure proper functionality.

In addition to routine maintenance, stormwater wetlands have seasonal and intermittent maintenance requirements. During the winter, wet detention basins should be inspected to make sure that materials used to de-ice surroundings stay out of the practice. Planting material should be trimmed in the winter, when plants are dormant.

After a large rainstorm, keep drainage paths, both to and from the area, clean so that water can be properly flow into the wet detention basin.

If the forebay has received a significant amount of sediment over a period of time, then the sediment at the bottom of the forebay or basin may need to be removed. Sediment excavated from wetlands that are not stormwater hotspots are not toxic and can be disposed through land application or landfilling.

Periodic mowing of the pond buffer is only required along maintenance right-of-way and the embankment. The remaining buffer can be managed as a meadow or a forest.

Fertilizers and pesticides should be used sparingly and only if necessary.

The wet detention basin dam should be inspected for seepage and structural integrity. If any signs of seepage are found, consult a professional.

Embankment of the basin should be inspected regularly for trees and animal activity. Trees growing on the top or sides of the embankment should be removed. Animals can burrow holes weakening the structure of the embankment.

Wet Detention Basins

Routine Maintenance Schedule
Schedule
Activity
Monthly
  • Inspect inlets, outlets and overflow spillway to ensure good condition and no evidence of erosion.
  • Clean and remove debris from inlet and outlet structures.
  • Mow side slopes.
  • Inspect basin dam for structural integrity.
  • Remove trash from the area around the basin.
Semi-annually
  • If basin components are included, inspect for invasive vegetation.

Annually
  • Inspect for damage, paying particular attention to the control structure.
  • Check for signs of eutrophic conditions (e.g., algal blooms and fish kills).
  • Note signs of hydrocarbon build-up (e.g., an oil sheen), and remove appropriately.
  • Monitor for sediment accumulation in the facility and forebay.
  • Check all control gates, valves, or other mechanical devices
As needed
  • Repair undercut or eroded areas.

Annually (if needed)
  • Perform wetland plant management and harvesting.

5 to 7 years or after 50% of the total forebay capacity has been lost
  • Remove sediment from the forebay.

10 to 20 years or after 25% of the permanent basin volume has been lost
  • Monitor sediment accumulations, and remove sediment when the pool volume has become reduced significantly, or the basin becomes eutrophic.

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