Managing Stormwater Ponds

This site assists homeowners associations (HOAs), community managers, and waterfront residents with choosing the best management options for maintaining their community's stormwater ponds. This site is a diagnostic tool that provides recommendations for fixing and preventing common problems that develop as stormwater ponds age, such as aquatic weeds, fish kills, shoreline erosion, poor water quality, nuisance wildlife, and much more. Scroll down to begin researching your problem.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, EVERY RESIDENT MUST KNOW...
Stormwater ponds are extremely important components of your community's drainage system. They are designed to provide two critical services:

prevent flooding by suppressing surges of stormwater runoff that wash from lawns, buildings, and paved surfaces
protect water quality by holding water long so that sediment and attached and other pollutants settle to the bottom of the pond before discharge to nearby rivers or beaches.

The primary purpose of all stormwater ponds is to manage stormwater runoff generated by impervious surfaces such as rooftops and pavement. (See section on Pond Construction and Sedimentation for more details.) These ponds are not designed to be recreational ponds for fishing or boating, and they are not permitted solely for beautification of the landscape. They are engineered devices, intended to moderate flood surges and reduce stormwater pollution. As with other engineered devices, stormwater ponds require maintenance to prevent them from falling into disrepair. That being said, stormwater ponds that are well maintained may provide additional benefits beyond simply managing stormwater, such as fishing, boating, and improved property values. Follow the links below to find solutions to the maintenance challenges you are experiencing.