Water Detention Basin

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.