Why are retention ponds so prevalent in Florida?

Florida, known as the Sunshine State, has a notoriously rainy wet season. 

Anyone who's lived in Florida long enough can tell you, late summer and early fall brings record-breaking rainfalls each year. On average, a wet season in Florida can bring 70 inches of rain! With all that rain water, where does it all go? Florida is prevalent with retention ponds for this very reason. Without the help of all these retention ponds, hurricane season could be much more problematic than it already can be.

Ever expanding subdivisions and residential areas can be hit the hardest if there are no retention ponds present. Much of these areas have impermeable surfaces and would have nowhere for storm water to runoff too. This would induce flooding and cause other issues such as problems with the sewage lines. It's becoming a requirement in newly built neighborhoods to include a retention pond.

The main purpose of the retention ponds is to hold onto the storm runoff or any kind of runoff in general and release the water at various flow rates. The water is naturally processed without additional equipment when in a retention pond, and also improves the water quality.

Other positives that come alongside the addition of a retention pond are the new habitats are created, such as homes for various fish and amphibians, even ducks and other forms of wildlife.

All in all, retention ponds in Florida are incredibly important to the growing population and construction throughout the state. It keeps everything around it safe and dry while it constantly stays full and wet!

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Awesome team to work with. They did a great job cleaning up our lake front.

chris sanders
May 14, 2020

Before

Recent Project

AdventHealth Waterman

Commercial Lakefront Clearing

Clearing of a lakefront is part of the expansion of the newly renamed AdventHealth Waterman hospital in Tavares. The area was overrun with weeds and other aquatic vegetation. PWC cleared the area of brush and algae, and used wildlife-safe chemicals to spray the area to help prevent the return of the vegetation.