Retention Ponds - What Are They?

As areas become more increasingly developed, retention ponds are often required to help with the large amount of water that come with run off from rain storms or the melting snow.

The Importance Of Retention Ponds.

Whenever an area is developed, it changes the natural flow of how water distributes itself around in the area. Retention ponds were developed as a way to help deal with this problem. When changing the landscape due to building roads, houses, factories, malls or any other structures, the ability of the ground to absorb excess water is much reduced. Concrete of course, does not absorb water, leaving standing water that becomes a major hazard very quickly.

Flooding on highways and in local neighborhoods is more often than not the result of the grounds inability to absorb the water. Retention ponds are made in order to direct all this excess water to a temporary holding place where it won't cause flood damage. Sometimes retention ponds can also fill up to their capacity and so over spill areas need to be made to drain any over flow of water to an appropriate and safe place.

Retention ponds can be made in a variety of sizes to suit the areas needed capacity for water storage. Specialist engineers work out the needed size and how the retention pond will affect the surrounding area if it should become too full.

Many retention ponds are designed to become part of their environment. These retention ponds are built to hold water for longer periods of time and can often become an area for wildlife to habitat. Grass, trees and other plants are sometimes integrated into the immediate vicinity around the retention ponds, giving it a true natural pond feel. Geese, ducks and other water fowl often congregate in these areas and this in turn brings the foxes and other predators.

As a result of the concerns that wildlife could become a problem in some community areas the retention ponds can sometimes be surrounded by fencing to prevent humans and animals from gaining entry. There are sometimes serious concerns too about the risk that children will drown in the retention ponds. Some of these ponds are designed and constructed to get very deep, it is always important to explain the dangers of ponds to children.

One other concern is that the mosquito population finds these areas a favorite breeding ground. The water in the retention ponds is usually very stagnant, which is why the mosquito prefers these types of ponds. There are dangerous diseases that are carried by mosquitoes and eliminating their breeding grounds has become a serious issue for some communities in certain areas.

Despite their many problems, retention ponds are a necessity to prevent flooding in developed communities. Designing and building them to blend into the environment allows for the retention pond to be a natural habitat but as already stated, caution needs to be used to keep it a safe place.