Triangle Pond Management

Our team recently repaired a pipe separation at the inlet pipe to a community stormwater pond. Repairs like these are common when the ground around an inlet pipe settles. Over time the flared end section (FES) of the pipe pulls away or separates from the other pieces of pipe. When this happens stormwater no longer discharges properly across the FES and into the inlet dissipater.

Various sizes of riprap and gravel are often used in components of a stormwater management system. What role do these rocks play in managing runoff?

Riprap

Riprap is stone that is angular and usually about the size of a football. It is used to armor shorelines or areas that receive a high volume of water flow, such as below an inlet or outlet pipe or along a channel that is experiencing erosion. The riprap has two main purposes: to slow the flow of water by forcing it to navigate through the rocks and to hold sediment in place to prevent erosion.

The growing season starts in March here in North Carolina, and it is already fast approaching. This is the busiest time of year for stormwater maintenance, so it is important to be as prepared as possible. Read on to learn how you can set your SCMs up for success this year.

Ongoing education is a large part of what keeps our team here at Triangle Pond Management at the top of our game and a leader in the industry.  We pride ourselves in investing in our employees so they can better serve our clients as well as build their industry skills.  You can have confidence that when one of our techs is servicing your property they have the knowledge and the know-how to complete the job efficiently and accurately.

Underground sand filters are a type of stormwater control measure designed to control stormwater runoff and save useable space simultaneously. Unlike other SCMs that are built above ground and take up large amounts of developable space, these devices are built underground. You find them often under parking lots or open green areas. They are typically accessed above ground through a manhole or Bilco door.

There are many different types of stormwater systems. Many are visible, such as wet ponds, dry detention basins, wetlands, and bio-retention. However, there are many others that are built below ground to accommodate situations where there is limited room for a stormwater system on the surface. These include underground detentions, sand filters, and proprietary devices like Contech StormFilters.

Stormwater control measures (SCMs) are critical infrastructure in our towns and communities. Each unique system is designed with measurements, grading, and components that are calculated specifically to process the amount of stormwater runoff produced in that community. In order to track these SCMs and ensure they are being maintained to regulation standards, many governing entities implement stormwater annual inspections.

Shoreline erosion is often caused by environmental factors such as heavy rains, run-off, fluctuating water levels, and/or wind displacement of water in your pond/lake. Rainwater runoff can slowly erode the soil, killing any vegetation that has been established ultimately leading to a degraded shoreline. Degraded shorelines can result in a severe loss of land if not repaired. They can also affect overall pond health. Eroded soil creates excess sediment deposits that can lead to poor water quality, often resulting in excess algae blooms.

Now is the time to add lime to your pond! Lime is an important management tool for pond maintenance in NC since most of our ponds are naturally acidic.