Effectiveness of Wet Detention and Retention Ponds for Improving Stormwater Quality

The most commonly used structural measures for stormwater quality management and control are retention basins, wet detention ponds, and detention with filtration ponds. This paper explores the different variables which affect the performance of each of these systems for removing nutrients and pollutants from stormwater runoff. The relative performance of wet detention and retention ponds is evaluated, and recommendations made regarding the most effective pond system depending on regional watershed characteristics.