Detention basins are structures used for flood control and water management, designed to temporarily hold an overflow of water. They can be dry or wet and are useful for seasonal flood management. They can be added to flood control communities and are required in some regions to reduce flood risk.
A detention basin is a structure designed to assist with flood control and water management. Detention basins can take a variety of forms and can be seen in many regions of the world. They are often built in periods of new urbanisation, where the amount of impervious surfaces in an area has increased, potentially creating a flood risk which must be compensated for with a retaining basin.
The purpose of a holding basin is to temporarily hold an overflow of water, thus allowing the water to accumulate in a safe and controlled area if unusual amounts of water are present. These structures can be useful for seasonal flood management and protection against rare severe storms. They are generally designed to fill and drain with the assistance of gravity, reducing the amount of maintenance required and ensuring they operate without the need for electrical or mechanical systems.
Dry ponds or dry holding ponds are designed to be dry most of the time. They consist of sunken areas that can be lined with landscaping, with several entrances to the water. As the water begins to rise, it enters the creeks, filling the holding basin. When the water levels drop again, the water in the basin is gently drawn out. Filtration systems are often installed to keep debris out, in which case it’s important to periodically inspect the grates, gravel beds, or other filtering methods used to confirm that they are clean.
Retention basins, wet detention basins, or extended detention basins are all terms used for detention basins that remain wet throughout the year. The water level in the detention basin can rise and fall throughout the year, but some water is always present. Marsh plants may also be present, creating habitats for animals and aiding in flood control, as marshy areas can help contain floodwaters. This type of holding basin can also be used to manage water quality by trapping impurities before the water is routed to another location.
These structures can be added to a flood control community if flooding is an issue, and can also be built whenever new development occurs. In some regions there are specific laws on how, where and when to build detention ponds, with the aim of keeping communities safe and reducing the risk of flood damage. In areas prone to climate change, the construction of such structures can be especially safety-critical to allow the community to keep pace with changing rainfall levels.
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