Size and Location of Detention Storage

Abstract

Basinwide planning, including channel improvements, is essential to prevent misapplication of detention storage. The concept of reducing the peak outflow from an on‐site detention pond to the predevelopment peak discharge does not insure a reduction to the predevelopment discharge for larger streams and has little merit in sizing most detention ponds. The size of the detention ponds has little effect on the total storage required for a watershed. The amount of detention storage can be significantly reduced by selective location of detention ponds within the watershed. Small detention ponds will require considerably more land area and maintenance than regional detention ponds. Channel improvements within the watershed tend to favor the use of upstream detention ponds. Multipurpose use should be encouraged to insure public support and continued maintenance of the detention facilities.