When precipitation falls, there are three paths that it can follow once it reaches the earth: it can soak into the ground, return to the atmosphere, or flow over the surface as stormwater runoff. In urban areas, there are hard surfaces such as parking lots, driveways and roofs and the majority of precipitation becomes stormwater runoff. This can result in flooding, posing risks to property or human life. Stormwater management is the use of planning or engineering techniques to manage these risks in urban areas.
The Township manages and performs maintenance on the stormwater management ponds. This ensures the ponds operate as designed and maintain their appearance.
Stormwater management ponds are one of the tools that are used to help protect communities from flooding. Stormwater runoff from a large area, such as a neighbourhood or commercial development, is directed to a stormwater management pond where it is stored until it can be released to the environment or into the municipal storm sewers at a safe rate.
There are two main types of stormwater management ponds that you may find around the Township:
- Wet ponds, which are designed to retain a certain amount of water between precipitation events and are usually characterized by dense vegetation
- Dry ponds, which drain completely in between storm events
Residents must obey all signs posted around the ponds and not dispose of trash, leaves or grass clippings in and around the pond. As well, leisure activities are not permitted in stormwater management facilities as the water entering the ponds is untreated and the suitability of the water for swimming or ice for skating is not known and is not monitored. The Township does not take responsibility for the safety of persons who attempt to use the ponds for leisure activities.