where are you viper??

NEVER see it in MI .. where shallow ponds freeze solid ... and deeper ponds can get a foot or two of ice on them ...

ken

zone 6 PA

Here there are trees on the rims, and often shrubs like Cornus/dogwood along the edges.

Landscaping a stormwater retention pond isn't often required in the site plan approval...if the developer isn't compelled to do it, they rarely will. The other aspect, depending on its design, it may need to have the sediment removed every 15-20 years and existing trees make that more problematic.

Viper, I could indeed write a book about this very topic. Not having the time, I refer you to Smivie's words directly above: They have covered some of the important aspects, such as the fact that by design, detention ponds will some day need to be dredged. That's one reason right there, but far from the only one.

I deal with stormwater management systems every day. And it can be frustrating-seeing the paucity of vegetation in some practices. But just to keep this short and sweet-there's way too much to say, lol-most often, "prairie" plant types are used for this vegetation on the sideslopes, and wet-meadow species mix is used down low near the tow of the slopes. emergent species-those plants which root in in shallow water and have their stems extending above water are ideal for the safety shelf it one is present. Investigate prairie, which is really just another word for meadow species. If you want trees-and I agree it's a waste of space to have no trees-keep them in discreet bunches up and out of the way of any possible future maintenance.

Maybe I can address this more fully some day soon, but this is nutso time for me in terms of my arms getting very long....as I get pulled in different directions this time of year!

Don't you mean detention pond? I'm having trouble of thinking of temperate zone trees that can survive long term in the middle of a pond.

Good catch Ed. I glossed over that detail but you are exactly right. Even detention ponds are designed to hold several feet of water. My assumption was OP was talking about areas of the pond that are not always under water.

BTW, both things exist-detention and retention ponds. Both have their purposes, which are not the same, and both can support a range of plant material. But due to the fact these practices will someday have to be dredged, I'm leery of too much woody stuff..........and woody plants are, of course, my favorites.

I was mostly referring to basins that have either very shallow water or very damp soil. Didn't think about dredging.......thanks for the insight

Yes, there is a range of stormwater practices-everything from highly engineered biofilters, detention ponds, etc....to just low areas that already hold water for a period of time. It all just depends on what the intended purpose is.

BTW, for what it's worth, in my area, the DNR has specified "native vegetation" for the pond sideslopes. In every case, this has meant prairie species which is ironic in that while these species are indeed "native", this plant community type itself is mostly not. This area was mostly northern hardwoods/mixed hardwood/coniferous forest. Oh well, the prairie plantings do provide a different type of habitat, and one which is claimed to be in short supply. What's more, if we actually let forest grow up and around these devices, we'd have a project on our hands every time some excavation, dredging, etc. would have to happen. I've learned to live with it!

I have a retention pond in my front yard. With trees bordering the edge. Came home from work to find out the city cut about 35 trees down leaving a 1-2 foot stump. Saying they did it to help drainage. I responded how does topping off a tree help drainage.? Any advice or do I have any right to fight the city.? It's been 5 months and the city is avoiding reasoning.

Was it or the topped trees on your property or the city's right of way/easement? Makes a difference.

I see Taxodium planted around them frequently (both distichum and ascendens). There's a subdivision down the road that planted Salix nigra around their's.

The topped trees were apart of the easement. But have nothing to do with drainage. Now my property has tripping hazards around the retention pond. And looks horrible. They admitted to me that the trees didn't have to me cut and apologized. And left it alone. But will. Not come back to dig up the stumps.

In SW Missouri our city puts Bald Cypress in them

Trees do help with drainage through transpiration and they soak up excess nutrients in water runoff plus their roots prevent soil from eroding.