CALL US 888-825-4716
Effective Stormwater Solutions with StormChamber
Storm Water BMP: Understanding the Wet Pond/Retention Basin
Retention is a stormwater BMP that takes advantage of the conventional storm water basin. This collects water from the surrounding area, preventing flooding, erosion, and other types of property damage. What makes this storm water BMP unique is the ability to slowly release water from the retention area – or storm water basin – at a controlled rate. Think of this as a miniature dam system that works to prevent streams and rivers from getting overwhelmed with floodwaters and eroded.
A retention basin is a storm water BMP that takes advantage of a higher orifice, which means that it will retain a permanent pool of water throughout the year. One of the benefits of retention basins over detention basins is the treatment that can be done to water. Using retention basins for stormwater BMP provides the opportunity to reduce pollutants in the water that could damage surrounding streams and areas.
Light maintenance is required to ensure that this storm water BMP works properly. For instance, it’s crucial to ensure that the orifice isn’t blocked or clogged with debris, as this could hinder water flow out of the basin.
However, while similar to detention, it’s important to note that retention basins are a storm water BMP that result in a permanent pool of water. Don’t worry – this isn’t like a random body of floodwater. Think of it as a man-made pond. Detention basins result in the waters eventually being empty and dried in-between each storm. An orifice is used to determine the water level, and water will drain out in a detention system so that it can refill the next time a line of thunderstorms come in.
Storage and Detention Leads as Stormwater BMPs
Underground stormwater detention systems that allow detention are considered one of the most effective stormwater BMP systems available to control the flow of stormwater. Though the systems can be found beneath streets, parks, and parking lots, these stormwater BMPs can be used anywhere in residential and commercial areas alike. When it comes to stormwater BMPs, there are two considerations you want to keep in mind:
StormChamber by HydroLogic Solutions offers stormwater BMPs that combine both of these incredible elements into a single system. One of the most effective uses of StormChamber is utilizing it as a tool against localized flooding. By collecting excess water in a basin and regulating its release into nearby stream systems, you can ensure that downstream areas are safe from unnecessary flooding or erosion. When it comes to using a retention basin, the two options available are retention and detention.
With a detention basin, the orifice level is kept low at the bottom of the basin. This ensures that the area is emptied and dried before the next storm system comes through the area. This is also why it’s referred to as a dry basin. This stormwater BMP is effective and important for slowing floodwater runoff.
StormChamber was designed by engineers, ecologists, and biologists to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. To ensure that the stormwater BMPs work at the highest removal rate possible, StormChamber incorporates an open bottom, arch-shaped, HDPE infiltration chamber that allows it to work in both permeable and non-permeable soils. These stormwater BMPs boast the ability to manage detention, conveyance, and retention on all subsurface.
Used in congruence with SedimenTrap, StormChamber ensures that the water regulated is cleansed of floodwater pollutants that could potentially harm the local ecology as it’s pumped back into surrounding streams, wetlands, and lakes.
The benefits of using StormChamber for detention include: