A stormwater pond is a constructed feature designed to manage rainwater runoff. It plays an essential role in urban environments by controlling water flow, improving water quality, and preventing flooding. While ponds can be structural or non-structural devices, they are designed to temporarily store or treat stormwater runoff in order to mitigate flooding, reduce pollution and provide other amenities.

While a majority of our post-construction BMP inventory are ponds, there are also bioretention/bioinfiltration, underground, and permeable systems that fall under City review as well.

Environmental Impact and Water Quality: stormwater ponds mitigate negative impacts of runoff from impervious surfaces (houses, sidewalks, roads, etc.). Stormwater ponds act as a filter, capturing and removing pollutants carried with stormwater such as sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous before it enters our groundwater. Excess nutrients can lead to harmful algae blooms and impair overall water quality. 

Click here to see photos of Lakes and Ponds before and after algal blooms.

Flood Mitigation: Ponds are designed to hold a certain amount of water and discharge it at a controlled rate. Controlling the discharge rate, avoids excess flooding of downstream areas and reduces the likelihood of excess soil erosion.

Property owners with private ponds, and HOA-managed properties. Those who own a private pond through a maintenance agreement are responsible to inspect and maintain their pond. See the responsibilities and compliance section for a list of requirements.

The City issues Maintenance Agreements for commercial and residential developments with stormwater ponds when they are built. These maintenance agreements are legally binding documents stipulating the private owners responsibility for maintenance and inspection of their ponds.

The City is also issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which dictates public and private pond requirements.