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T-7 Retention Pond
• Any use of rock for energy
dissipation or for erosion control
should graduate away from the area
of hard edge into the surrounding
landscape. Other functional
matching rock should occur in other
areas of the pond to prevent the
energy dissipation structure from
appearing out of context. Photo RP-
3 serves as an example of this.
• If concrete is required in the basin,
colored concrete matching the rocks
or other site features of the
surrounding landscape can be used
to prevent the structure from
appearing out of context. Colored
concrete, form liners and veneers for
construction walls are preferred for
outlet structures.
Photograph RP-4. (altered photo) Variations in slope and texture around
the pond are brought together by mass groupings of local stone boulders.
The boulders are placed intermittently around the pond in groups and
interspersed with plantings. Photo courtesy of Design Concepts. Note: A
minimum 4-foot vegetated buffer (littoral zone) is recommended to strain
surface flow into the pond, protect the banks by stabilizing the soil at the
edge of the pond, and provide biological uptake.
• Adjust the vegetation to the different uses of the pond surrounding.
• Ground cover should reflect the type of water regime expected for the location within the basin. For
example, riparian plants would be placed around the edge of the retention pond, groups of trees and
shrubs would be placed in more manicured areas that have no retention or detention function.
Photograph RP-5. A curving stream with
vegetated edges provides habitat for wildlife. Photo
courtesy of Design Concepts.
Photograph RP-6. Landscape elements such as
vegetation and stone highlight the irregularly-shaped
pond edge, making it appear more natural. Photo
courtesy of Design Concepts.
RP-8 Urban Drainage and Flood Control District November 2010
Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual Volume 3