Stormwater ponds are engineered basins designed to have a permanent pool of water (wet ponds) or to dry up after a couple of days (dry ponds). Stormwater ponds prevent flooding and remove pollutants in order to reduce impacts to lakes, streams, and wetlands.

Stormwater ponds help prevent flooding by slowing the rate water enters the receiving water bodies and storm sewer system. They capture and hold a prescribed volume of runoff for a specific period of time or until it is displaced by the next storm. During this time, particles and associated pollutants settle to the bottom of the pond. Plants in and around the pond help remove pollutants through biological processes.