Stormwater Ponds

Stormwater ponds are designed to efficiently collect rainwater and pollutants, playing a crucial role in preventing downstream flooding.

Ponds have an embankment (called a dam) to hold back water that is entering the pond. Most dams are earthen (not concrete) and are grass covered. All stormwater ponds also have a control structure that releases water at a much slower rate than the stormwater entering the pond. While water remains in the pond, pollutants have time to settle at the bottom.

Most ponds located throughout Montgomery County are stormwater management ponds, even ones that are community amenities. Ponds can have many different designs, including ponds with concrete channels, dry ponds with sand filters on the pond bottom, and ponds that provided wetland habitat around the edges.

Why are Stormwater Ponds Important?

Stormwater ponds are important stormwater management tools, because they:

  • Remove pollutants
  • Improve health of streams and rivers
  • Help to make our waters fishable and swimmable
  • Improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay

Maintenance

Cleanwater imageMaintenance is crucial to ensure the proper functioning of stormwater ponds. As a property owner, you are responsible for maintaining your stormwater pond, unless a shared maintenance agreement has been made with the DEP Stormwater Facility Maintenance Program. Ponds at County facilities and schools fall under the maintenance responsibility of the Department of Environmental Protection, while those in County parks are shared between DEP and M-NCPPC. Regular maintenance, including grass cutting, trash removal, and vegetation management, is necessary to keep stormwater ponds in good condition. Unmaintained ponds can lead to various issues, such as reduced pollutant removal, downstream flooding, erosion, and the unsightly growth of unwanted weeds and algae.

To ensure the continued effectiveness and safety of stormwater ponds, it is essential to promptly address any maintenance needs. Utilizing the services of DEP-approved contractors for structural maintenance is mandatory, and it is recommended for non-structural maintenance. By taking proper care of stormwater ponds, we can preserve the ecological balance, protect our properties, and contribute to the overall well-being of our communities and the environment.

The graphic shows some of the important structural parts of a stormwater pond and how it functions. It also highlights some of the areas and structures that may require maintenance.