Industrial Retention Pond Benefits and Common Uses

There are a few possible elements of a given industrial facility that some people may be unfamiliar with, and one of the more common examples here is a retention pond. What is a retention pond, and why is incorporating one important for many industrial buildings or facilities?

At Redi, we’re proud to offer a huge range of industrial construction services to clients around Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and nearby areas, from general solutions like facility maintenance to specific needs like industrial insulation, heavy haul trucking and a wide selection of civil construction services – including retention pond design and construction. Here are some basics on what a retention pond is, plus its major benefits and uses for many industrial facilities.

What is a Retention Pond?

For those just learning about it, a retention pond – also called a detention basin or stormwater management pond – is an artificial body of water that’s used to collect and manage rainwater runoff from various sources. The goal here is to capture the majority of runoff that falls on surrounding land and holds onto it for a period of time, letting it slowly release back into the environment as needed.

Retention ponds are typically designed with specific features in mind based on local climate factors, plus any nearby bodies of water or structures like roads that may be affected by flooding. But as you’ll see in our upcoming sections, retention ponds have several additional uses beyond flood prevention.

Importance for Industrial Facilities

There are several reasons why retention ponds are important for industrial facilities specifically:

• Prevent Flooding: One major reason to have a retention pond is to prevent flooding or water damage during heavy rain or storms. By capturing and managing runoff, these ponds can significantly reduce the risk of flooding on industrial properties.
• Reduce Erosion: Down similar lines, retention ponds also help control erosion on industrial properties. Without proper management, heavy rain can cause significant erosion and even property damage – but with a retention pond in place, this risk is greatly reduced.
• Environmental Compliance: Many areas have regulations related to stormwater runoff and environmental impact for industrial buildings; retention ponds are often a key piece of staying compliant with these rules.
• Source of Irrigation: Many industrial facilities use retention ponds to collect rainwater for irrigation purposes, reducing the need for additional water supply and potentially saving money over time.
• Water Filtration: In addition, many retention ponds are designed with natural filtration systems to help remove pollutants and contaminants from runoff water before it’s released back into the environment.
• Wildlife Habitats: Even further, retention ponds can serve as habitats for various wildlife, adding a natural and beneficial element to industrial properties.

Benefits of Retention Ponds

Through these various uses we just went over, retention ponds provide several direct benefits to their facilities:

• Safety: By preventing flooding and erosion, retention ponds create a safer environment for workers and property.
• Cost Savings: The use of retention ponds can also lead to cost savings in terms of less water damage repairs, reduced need for additional irrigation water, and potentially even lower insurance premiums.
• Environmental Impact: With proper design and maintenance, retention ponds can help reduce the negative environmental impact of industrial facilities by managing stormwater runoff and promoting natural filtration.

Types of Retention Pond

If you’re considering a retention pond installation as part of any industrial facility, there are a few different pond types to consider:

• Wet ponds: Wet ponds refer to retention ponds that are meant to hold water all year round, even during dry periods. These usually have vegetation and filtration systems to help manage the water. Their primary purpose is usually to treat stormwater runoff and filter it.
• Dry ponds: Designed primarily to hold water during heavy rainfall, dry ponds are meant to be empty the majority of the time. They’re usually smaller than wet ponds and don’t have permanent water levels, but they can still provide flood control during storms. They will contain vegetation and rocks to absorb and filter out pollutants during heavy storms.
• Detention ponds: Detention ponds are used to temporarily store stormwater runoff and gradually release it back into the environment. They’re usually dry for a majority of the time, with only small amounts of water during or immediately after rainfall events. They can be designed with various features and materials depending on their specific purpose.

As you can see, retention ponds serve several important functions and provide numerous benefits for industrial facilities. Whether you’re looking to prevent flooding and erosion, stay compliant with environmental regulations, or create a natural habitat for wildlife, a well-designed retention pond is an essential element of many industrial buildings.

At Redi, we have years of experience designing and constructing efficient and effective retention ponds for our clients around Idaho, Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming – if you’re considering one for your facility, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and provide a custom solution that meets both your budget and goals.