by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
To help mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, retention and detention ponds can be used as stormwater management techniques. According to Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter, another technique is a sub-surface drainage system.
Stormwater runoffs can have an impact and cause damage to the development of various areas, including homes, businesses, buildings, roads, and parking lots.
In a recent Facebook post, Ritter stated:
“Youngsville’s ordinances require new development to mitigate the effect of new construction on the city’s drainage system. Most people associate this with retention or detention ponds; however, there are other methods which can achieve a similar outcome.”
“For example, at this townhome development on Avenue A the design team opted to do a sub-surface drainage system below an interior driveway consisting of chambers to hold and slow down the discharge of their stormwater.”
“Regardless of the method, the goal is the same: to ensure that new development does not have a negative impact on existing development.”
Ritter added, “Innovative thinking to maximize their real estate!”
Detention ponds, which are also called dry ponds, help to avoid flooding by temporarily holding rain or storm-water run-off. There is not a permanent pool of water in it. Once the water has flowed out of the detention pond, the pond is dry, which is why this type of pond is also called a dry pond.
Retention ponds, also called wet ponds, work in controlling stormwater runoff. Containment of stormwater can help prevent flooding in homes, properties, and businesses. There is a permanent pool of water in a retention pond.
