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SFR Ponds Program

The Single Family Residential Retention & Detention Pond Maintenance Program (SFR Ponds Program) is an initiative to improve the condition of detention & retention stormwater ponds that are privately owned. It also serves to help improve water quality and educate citizens about stormwater control measures (SCMs).
These ponds will be assessed and prioritized by the City for an initial rehabilitation if needed, and/or possible retrofitting for water quality improvements. After this initial improvement, the City will take over doing functional maintenance. Also, general maintenance will still be the responsibility of the property owner(s) or homeowner's association

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Requirements

What Are The Requirements?

  • A newly built single family residential pond must wait two years from date of acceptance by HOA, final stabilization, and closure of permit to apply to the program
  • If property owner(s) withdraw from the Rainwater Management Guide (RMG) required maintenance of their SCM before the property is put into the Program, i.e. before the City officially notifies the Owner(s) that the City’s maintenance will begin, or if they opt out of the program during it, the owner(s) will be subject to the City’s Enforcement Protocols
  • Farm ponds are not stormwater control measures and will not be considered for the program

How Do I Apply?

1

Fill out the application form below:

Indicates required field
example - (999) 999-9999
To participate in this program you are required to do routine maintenance. Routine maintenance tasks are detailed in hold harmless agreement; non compliance with City Code will result in enforcement action

Please Note: Applying does not automatically enroll you in the SFR Ponds Program. Acceptance into the program is up to the discretion of the Stormwater Resources Program.

Process Details

Approval Process / Evaluation

  1. Once the pond is accepted into the program, it will be inspected by city staff—easements identified, site assessed (If there is no easement currently established for City staff/contractor to enter the property for maintenance, an easement agreement must be signed).
  2. The property owner(s) must agree to & sign a Hold Harmless Agreement and Easement Agreement.
  3. A task order will be created specific to the pond's needs.
  4. A WQ professional will meet with the contractor on site to go over the repairs needed.
  5. Maintenance will be done to get the pond in working order if needed.
  6. A maintenance schedule will be established for functional maintenance going forward.
  7. Once application is received, a Stormwater professional will reach out to you via email.

 

 

Status Updates

Enrollment is pending Stormwater Resources Program staff approval. The homeowner will be notified via email if/when the pond is accepted into the program.

FAQ

What is a Stormwater pond?

Stormwater ponds are engineered depressions that temporarily hold stormwater runoff, and promote pollutant removal through sedimentation, before slowly releasing the water. They reduce erosion of nearby creeks and streams that would be inundated with water, and they also reduce flooding by releasing the captured water at a controlled rate. This makes them able to improve both the quantity and quality of our stormwater.

There are 3 main types: Retention, Detention and Naturalized basin. 

What is a Detention pond?

Detention ponds should be dry the majority of the time, unless it is soon after a rain event.

[Image of detention pond]

What is a Retention pond?

Retention ponds have water present year round.

[Image of retention pond]

What is a Naturalized basin?

Naturalized basins have the added benefit of native vegetation which provides support for our ecosystem, as well as aiding in the uptake of water.* 

Be aware, an overgrown detention pond is NOT a Naturalized basin. Naturalized basins are planted or seeded intentionally with beneficial native species.* 

[Image of naturalized basin] 

 * Not all Detention or Retention ponds look like those pictured above. These are just examples to give a general idea of what these structures could look like.  

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(423) 643-5877 (423) 643-5877