Stormwater Ponds & Wetland Areas

Stormwater management ponds serve three main functions in mitigating the impacts from replacing the water soaking natural fields and forest with the impenetrable roads, roofs and sidewalks of our neighborhoods.

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Stream Bank Protection
If not controlled, accumulating runoff from stormwater will erode stream banks and cause sediment to enter the water, making it unfit for aquatic life. This stream bank erosion also causes the streams to become wider and more shallow, eliminating habitat for beneficial insects and fish.

Pollutant Removal
Some ponds retain water which allows pollutants from leaking autos, fertilized lawns in wet weather flows to settle out, keeping them from contaminating streams.

Flood Control
Stormwater management ponds provide flood control preventing damage to roads, homes, and personal property.

There are many different types of stormwater management ponds in the county, including dry ponds, underground detention structures, infiltration trenches, sand filters, wet ponds and wetland marshes.

Each of these structures manages stormwater for quality (pollutant removal, filtering, etc.) control, quantity (stream bank and flooding protection) control and sometimes both.

Dry ponds and underground structures usually detain water for periods less than 72 hours and if they retain water for longer than five days are lacking maintenance.

Infiltration trenches and sand filters provide a quality control filtering component and should not hold water for longer for more than 24 hours.
Wet ponds and wetland marshes provide both quality control and quantity control. These structures often develop mini ecosystems where by birds, frogs, insects, bats, and other critters gather to feed and pass time. Many of these animals are natural predators of mosquitoes and other nuisance insects and add to the aesthetic enjoyment of these ponds. Ponds in particular are subject to algae blooms that are the result of pet waste and over-fertilization of neighborhood yards being washed in from rain and snow. These ponds can look ugly because of the algae blooms but continue to function as an effective stormwater control device.

Montgomery County has a comprehensive program to inspect ponds and other structures to ensure they function as designed. Many of the 600+ ponds have been inspected and are in the process of being maintained. If a pond looks like it needs maintenance then an inquiry can be made by calling 240.777.7770 to determine if it has been inspected. Remember that mosquitoes can breed in many places and even if we drain all the ponds, mosquitoes will continue to exist. A natural environment and personal precautions are the best means of combating the West Nile virus. 

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