A retention pond is a man-made pond designed to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality in a developed area. Retention ponds retain water continuously, with fluctuating water levels during and after storms.
Did you know?
Did you know that the drains on your street lead straight into the ponds? Rain, melted snow, and anything that is carried with it goes directly to our ponds untreated. Any organic material like yard clippings, soils that are not secured by plant roots, spilled chemicals and fertilizers are carried in this storm water to the ponds. Emptying pool water into the ponds also causes problems, by killing off the good micro-organisms that are helping the natural decay process in the ponds.
All About Algae
There are many kinds of algae in our ponds, and while some people may not find them attractive to look at, they typically do not pose a concern. However, when warm temperatures and nutrients combine, there may be a surge in algae growth called an algae bloom that you will recognize as a thick, green scum on the surface or hanging in the water column.
When algae begin to die off, micro-organisms in the water naturally will go to work to help the decay process. Unfortunately, if there is more organic material than the system can handle, the micro-organisms use up all of the available oxygen in the water and the decay process shifts to one where oxygen is not required. One of the by-products of this shift is an unpleasant odor.
About Naturalized Retention Ponds
Not Pristine Lakes
Naturalized ponds refer to the area along the water where plants grow. This area extends from the shallows of the ponds where the bull rushes are, right up to the top of the bank. Healthy riparian zones are usually found in wetlands and intact river forests and contain a complex mix of aquatic plants, grasses, shrubs and trees. These zones play a very important role in the health of the ponds by:
- Filtering soil, nutrients and other pollution from runoff.
- Decreasing the risk of floods by stabilizing pond banks and preventing erosion.
- Providing habitat for wildlife by reducing the water temperature.
Without healthy riparian zones, ponds are more vulnerable to nutrient loading resulting in excessive growth of algae and other nuisance aquatic plants. To protect the riparian zone, you can help by not mowing right to the water’s edge and planting native grasses as they are tolerant to drought and their extensive root systems stop erosion.
Easement Agreement
Even though properties extend to the center of the ponds, homeowners are restricted from any development, construction or improvements within the area that backs onto the ponds because it contains an easement up to the 100-year flood level (the level that the water will reach with very heavy rainfall). To modify within the easement, an engineered, approved site plan must be submitted, revised and approved by the Municipality prior to any construction. This includes fences, landscaping, sheds, permanent structures, etc. This restricted area may also be used for temporary storm water storage during flooding events.
What can I do?
We all have a role to play in making sure our ponds stay healthy and clean. In fact, we cannot do it without you! Getting them back to a healthy state will require both a combination of treatment and a change of habits. The choices we make when doing things in our yards, on our driveways and on our streets have direct impacts on the health of our ponds and the organisms that call them home. In order to keep our ponds looking their absolute best, take pride in our ponds!
Managing Your Impact
We can limit the amount of nutrients in our ponds by being more conscious of our actions. Runoff containing fertilizer for lawns and flowerbeds is one of the main contributors to high nutrient levels. We can help our ponds stay healthy by limiting fertilizer use in our yards. We can also reduce nutrient loading by picking up any animal waste in our yards.
Protecting ponds from garbage, litter, compost and lawn clippings is also vital to their health. Consider leaving a naturalized area on your property. If you notice any garbage when you are walking along the trails, help out and pick it up. Remember that nearby storm drains and manholes lead directly to our ponds, so please do not dump anything down the drains.
The Impact of Fertilizer
Unfortunately, fertilizer fertilizes a lot more than your yard – it often ends up being carried by runoff into our ponds. Time your fertilizer application so that it does not coincide with a heavy rain event. Remember to sweep up any excess fertilizer that ends up on your driveway or sidewalk. Also consider alternatives to traditional fertilizers such as top dressing with compost which will slowly release nutrients to your lawn over the summer.
What Is the Municipality Doing?
The RM of Springfield is doing three things to help the ponds:
- Water Quality Sampling - Water quality sampling over the summer will give us a better understanding of the complex chemistry that occurs in the ponds and helps clarify where, when, and how nutrients are entering the ponds. This will help identify long-term options to improve the quality of the water.
- Adding Bacteria - Adding bacteria to some ponds to help the natural decay process and reduce the layer of dead plants and other matter that has collected on the bottom of the ponds.
- Increasing Oxygen - The RM is investigating whereby adding oxygen to the water column may help the good micro-organisms continue their important work.
Questions?
Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
Contact Us:
Phone: (204) 444-2241
Email: publicworks@rmofspringfield.ca
Location: Unit 2 – 27 055 Oakwood Road, Oakbank, MB.
Regular Hours of Operation are:
Monday to Thursday - 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday - 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please note that the office is closed daily between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m.