stormwater ponds
Living on a property or in a neighborhood with a retention/stormwater pond comes with advantages including protection from flooding and access to water views and local wildlife. But green, algae-filled ponds are a sore sight to see, and poorly functioning ponds come with costly maintenance for stakeholders including homeowners, HOAs and Municipalities.
Not every stormwater pond is built the same, and simple practices performed by stakeholders can significantly protect or degrade the quality of stormwater ponds. Additionally, fees associated with pond maintenance are typically the responsibility of the landowner or HOA. Therefore, it makes financial sense to protect and transform outdated and poorly functioning ponds into areas that hold stormwater, improve pollutant processing, and provide an attractive and clean water source.
Functional stormwater oasis
SOLUTIONS: Maintain a buffer of native plants along the water’s edge. This simple change will provide powerful protection from all the culprits!
Native plants provide a buffer between water and mown grass, leaves, pet waste, fertilizers, and trash.
Taller vegetation discourages geese and supports a variety of other wildlife.
Compared to turf, native plants have long and fibrous root systems that hold soil in place and prevent wave erosion.
Sediment capture in vegetation helps prevent accumulated sediment.
Vegetated features require less maintenance compared to traditional turf.
SOLUTIONS: Build & Retrofit Right
Stormwater ponds are made to hold excess stormwater. But what if they could do more for less? Building or retrofitting underperforming stormwater ponds makes financial sense and transforms the bare minimum into a productive pond that better holds and infiltrates water, minimizes costs and maintenance, increases wildlife habitat, provides recreational opportunities, and improves water quality!
Pond and Landscaping Guides
standard stormwater pond
PROBLEMS: Algae, Pollutants, Sedimentation, and Poor Design
CULPRITS: Grass Clippings, Leaves, Soil, Pet Waste, Fertilizers, Geese, Discharges
Grass clippings, leaves, and soil break down into Phosphorus and Nitrogen (P & N) which feed algae. Goose droppings and pet waste also break down into P & N, as well as bacteria and parasites like E. coli, roundworms, and salmonella, which cause a host of illnesses.
Mowing up to the edge allows grass clippings and other pollutants to easily enter water bodies and attracts geese. Fertilizers are P & N in a bottle. Anything that cannot be absorbed by the targeted plant will move to the nearest body of water and feed algae.
Discharges from automobiles and household practices may contain contaminants like P & N, bacteria, and chlorides. Finally, sedimentation made up of soils and nutrients accumulates at the bottom and incurs dredging and maintenance costs.
