5-Retention Ponds

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City
RETENTION PONDS
CARMELA A. ALCANTARA
DAN STEVEN P. TOLENTINO
PCS 2: FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING
Engr. Derick Aldrin L. Esteban
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Cabanatuan City
MEMBER 1: DAN STEVEN P. TOLENTINO
INTRODUCTION
As communities continue to grow, the need for diverting water increases. If a stormwater
runoff is high in volume, then it is able to damage or cause erosions near streams and rivers.
Handling the stormwater near its source can save a community from costly repairs compared
when local funds are to be directed at correcting erosion or controlling flooding. A common
method for managing stormwater runoff is to build a basin, which is meant to collect the water,
and release it at a rate that prevents flooding or erosion.
The most common problem in relation to this issue is the urban development. It has
changed watershed hydrology by increasing the number of impervious surfaces, reducing
vegetation, and introducing land uses that generate pollutants. Increased impermeable area
reduces natural infiltration and interception of rainfall resulting in increased runoff volumes
and peak flow rates. The effects of “urbanization” on stormwater runoff include increased total
volumes of runoff. In general, major changes in flow rates in urban areas are the result of:
• increase in the volume of water available for runoff because of the increased impermeable
cover provided by roads, streets, buildings, parking lots, and roofs, which reduce the
amount of infiltration
• changes in hydraulic efficiency associated with artificial channels, curbing, gutters, and
storm drainage collection systems, which increase the velocity of the runoff flow.
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Cabanatuan City
To reduce or mitigate these impacts, water management systems such as detention and
retention ponds is needed. Though having the same purpose, it differs with regards to its
process.
RETENTION PONDS
There are two (2) main types of basins, the detention pond and the retention pond, but
this time, we will now focus on the retention ponds. The main difference between a detention
and a retention pond, is the presence or absence of a permanent pool of water, or pond. In
detention, the outlet of the system is located at the bottom, making the stormwater runoff pass
by quickly so this type of basin is usually dry. Whereas in retention, the outlet of the system is
located at a higher point, letting out the majority of the runoff volume while still having a
retained amount to be treated later on.
Retention ponds can provide both stormwater runoff attenuation and treatment. Runoff
from each storm event is detained and treated in the pool. The retention time promotes pollutant
removal through sedimentation and the opportunity for biological uptake mechanisms to
reduce nutrient concentrations. It should be surrounded by natural vegetation to improve bank
stability and improve aesthetic benefits.
The main principle of a retention pond is to allow large amounts of water to enter the
system, and the outlet lets out small amounts of water as needed to maintain the desired water
level. But, considering health concerns, retention ponds can be a drowning hazard, particularly
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Cabanatuan City
with children. Ponds can also draw mosquitoes, which may contribute to the transmission of
some diseases.
APPLICATIONS
Retention ponds can be designed to control flow rates by storing stormwater runoff and
releasing it slowly once the risk of flooding has passed. The stored water will change the water
level, and ponds should be designed to function in both dry and wet weather. Quantity can also
be influenced by the amount of water that can be allowed to infiltrate into the ground if there is
no risk to groundwater quality. Also, retention ponds offer many opportunities for the
landscape designer which can be part of public open space.
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Cabanatuan City
MEMBER 2: CARMELA A. ALCANTARA
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
Retention ponds are generally constructed for positive reasons, but surely there are times
that it has negative impacts in all aspects. The following are its advantages and disadvantages:
ADVANTAGES:
● Collects and improves water quality naturally without additional equipment.
● Improved stormwater collection and flood control, catering all storms.
● New habitats are created.
● High potential ecological, aesthetic and amenity benefits
● Can be used for recreational purposes and good community acceptability.
● Good removal capability of urban pollutants
● Can be used where groundwater is vulnerable, if lined
● May add value to local properties.
DISADVANTAGES:
● Can be a drowning hazard.
● Perceived health & safety risks may result in fencing and isolation of the pond.
● Large areas of land are needed.
● Negative water quality impacts if poorly designed.
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Cabanatuan City
● No reduction in runoff volume if poorly designed.
● Anaerobic conditions can occur without regular inflow.
● Land take may limit use in high density sites.
● May not be suitable for steep sites, due to requirement for high embankments.
● Colonization by invasive species could increase maintenance.
MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Having retention ponds constructed and situated on specific areas where it is needed,
there are also maintenance considerations for this. The most important part here is to ensure
that the system is free of debris that causes clogging, to keep it functioning properly. Community
locals should maintain the retention ponds for it can greatly reduce the cost of repairs in the
future. The following are some of the maintenance procedures that can be implemented:
● Identifying and repairing areas of erosion - a few times a year and after major storms, check for
gullies and other disturbances on the bank.
● Debris and sediment monitoring & removal - remove debris around and in ponds before it
reaches the outlets to prevent problems.
● Inlet and outlet cleaning - keeping pipes clear of debris and removing sediment ensures proper
function.
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Cabanatuan City
● Vegetation management - the amount of maintenance depends on the type of vegetation
surrounding the basin. Some grasses need weekly mowing, and others can be maintained
a couple of times a year.
REFERENCES
Chu, 2021. “China, People's Republic of: Yunnan Chuxiong Urban Environment Improvement
Project”
Retrieved from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/45507-003-sd-01.pdf
Leber, 2015. “Stormwater Basins: How Detention and Retention Ponds Work”
Retrieved from: https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/stormwater-basins-detention-
retention-ponds
Susdrain, 2022. “Component: Retention ponds”
Retrieved from: https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/suds-
components/retention_and_detention/retention_ponds.html
Page 7 of 7

5-Retention Ponds

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DAN STEVEN P. TOLENTINO

PCS 2: FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING

Engr. Derick Aldrin L. Esteban

MEMBER 1: DAN STEVEN P. TOLENTINO

and release it at a rate that prevents flooding or erosion.

changed watershed hydrology by increasing the number of impervious surfaces, reducing

retained amount to be treated later on.

reduce nutrient concentrations. It should be surrounded by natural vegetation to improve bank

stability and improve aesthetic benefits.

landscape designer which can be part of public open space.

MEMBER 2: CARMELA A. ALCANTARA

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

● Collects and improves water quality naturally without additional equipment.

● Improved stormwater collection and flood control, catering all storms.

● New habitats are created.

● High potential ecological, aesthetic and amenity benefits

● Can be used for recreational purposes and good community acceptability.

● Good removal capability of urban pollutants

● Can be used where groundwater is vulnerable, if lined

● May add value to local properties.

● Can be a drowning hazard.

● Large areas of land are needed.

● Negative water quality impacts if poorly designed.

● No reduction in runoff volume if poorly designed.

● Anaerobic conditions can occur without regular inflow.

● Land take may limit use in high density sites.

● Colonization by invasive species could increase maintenance.

gullies and other disturbances on the bank.

reaches the outlets to prevent problems.

● Vegetation management - the amount of maintenance depends on the type of vegetation

a couple of times a year.

Retrieved from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/45507-003-sd-01.pdf

Retrieved from: https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/stormwater-basins-detention-

Susdrain, 2022. “Component: Retention ponds”

Retrieved from: https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/suds-

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