Retention Pond Maintenance

When a neighborhood or office building is built, the natural drainage of the area is altered.  Grass, trees, shrubs and other plant life are replaced by homes, buildings, streets, and driveways.  The natural topography is usually changed and the flow of water through the area is altered.

As a result, rainwater that used to be absorbed by the land now runs off at a rate much faster than the land can handle.  Local building codes require a plan to control erosion and other issues caused by storm water runoff and in many cases the plan includes construction of a retention pond.  Most residential and commercial developments have retention ponds that help control rain water runoff.

Local codes usually require periodic inspection of a retention pond and can impose fines for retention ponds that are not up to code.  Regular maintenance of a retention pond will help keep it up to code and working properly.  Vegetation, debris, and silt can accumulate in the retention pond which reduces its capacity and can impair proper functioning.

The earthen dam around the retention pond must be kept in good condition and any silt and debris that builds up in the retention pond must be removed.  Retention ponds have several key components that need regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that they are working properly.  These include the headwall, weir, and exhaust.

Most good local landscaping companies have the experience and equipment to handle retention pond maintenance.  Homeowners associations and property managers should work with a professional landscaping contractor to establish a regular maintenance plan that will help ensure that the retention pond is working as designed and is up to code.