Stormwater
In urban areas, hard surfaces such as roofs and roads cause rainwater to move quickly towards a stormwater sewer. Along the way, the rainwater picks up chemicals such as the fertilizer used on lawns, soap used to wash cars, and waste products from the wildlife that visit the lake. This contaminated water is now called stormwater, and would flow untreated into the Detroit River.
A stormwater management pond, like this one, is an artificial pond that is designed to collect and hold stormwater. The stormwater management pond's primary function is stormwater management, not recreation.
Water Level
A Detention pond, or “dry pond,” is a low-lying area that temporarily holds water until the water drains to another location. It is not filled with water all the time. A detention pond is generally used for flood control when large amounts of rain and storm water runoff could cause flash flooding if not dealt with properly.
A Retention pond holds a specific amount of water indefinitely. The pond is designed to have drainage leading to another location to keep the pond from overflowing during heavy rains, but otherwise the pond is intended to always hold water.
The water level of this stormwater management pond will fluctuate month to month. The water level is kept at design standards to prevent flooding.
Vegetation
The vegetation living in and around the pond provides many benefits to the environment. The surrounding grasses and shrubs provide bank stability and aesthetic benefits. Aquatic vegetation also provides water quality improvements by removing soluble nutrients though uptake. The biodiversity of animals is also enhanced by this vegetation.
Logging requirements:
In order to log this EarthCache, send me your answers to the following questions either through email from my profile page or through messages on my profile page.
1) Do you think this is a detention or retention pond? Why?
2) Look at the banks of the pond. Do you think the water level is high or low?
3) Based on the time of year and recent local weather, can you explain the water level?
4) List at least 3 different forms of vegetation and/or wildlife that you observed while visiting the lake.
Pictures are not required, but they are appreciated. Please post a picture of you, your GPS or anything you found interesting anywhere around the lake.
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