Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin

Information on Stormwater Retention Ponds in the Town of Lawrence

Stormwater retention (wet) ponds are Best Management Practices (BMPs) that hold storm-water runoff and allow the pollutants carried by runoff to settle out. Runoff is conveyed to stormwater ponds by a combination of overland flow, ditches, swales and underground pipes. Stormwater Runoff does not go to a sewage treatment plant. Once runoff reaches a stormwater pond, the sediment settles to the bottom. The water that entered as polluted runoff leaves the pond gradually through an outfall structure, resulting in cleaner water entering the receiving streams, lakes or wetlands. Ponds are also used to reduce the rate of runoff and reduce flooding in urbanized areas.

What are the benefits of stormwater ponds?

• Capable of removing solid particles and other pollutants
• Helps to meet state stormwater management regulations
• Reduces flooding in urbanized areas
• Wildlife habitat is created when ponds are planted with native vegetation and maintained
• Wet ponds can be aesthetically pleasing

What are solutions to common stormwater pond problems?

• Nuisance waterfowl
  • Do not mow the grass to the edge of the pond.  Allow the natural vegetation to grow 10 feet from the edge of the pond
  • Avoid feeding the waterfowl
• Algae blooms
  • Prevent grass clippings from entering the water
• Erosion & Siltation
  • Avoid destroying natural vegetation near the water
• Non-native invasive aquatic species
  • Do not dump water, plants, fish, or other animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water
• Human Pollution
  • Properly dispose of any chemicals and litter to prevent it from entering the waterways.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• • Please report the following issues with the pond:
    • Odor problems
    • Visible damage to shoreline or slope
    • Excessive algae growth
    • Invasive species
  • DO NOT mow grass to the edge of pond
  • Please do not dump anything into the pond, especially aquatic pets. This is prohibited by your local municipality, State and Federal Government, unless the appropriate permits are obtained.

We want all citizens to be aware of the purpose of our storm ponds as an important water treatment facility, and to avoid any activity, use or action in pond areas that negatively impacts this intended function of storm ponds.

• News &
  Notices

• Town of Lawrence Construction Site Erosion Control Reference Guide
• Town of Lawrence Post Construction Stormwater Reference Guide 2016