Private stormwater ponds

Your Homeowner's Association or Metro District may have recently received a letter from the city regarding the requirements for the stormwater pond located on the property.

When the property was built, an approved Inspection and Maintenance Plan (I&M) was submitted. It is the responsibility of the HOA or Metro District to ensure the stormwater pond operates properly. One purpose of the I&M is to provide information to the person or entity responsible for inspection and maintenance of the stormwater pond to ensure it is adequately maintained to function as designed. 

What is a stormwater pond?

Stormwater ponds are designed to capture water during storms and to hold it temporarily before releasing it. Some stormwater ponds are lined with clay or plastic and are designed to always hold water. Other stormwater ponds are designed to simply slow the flow of stormwater by capturing it for a short time and then releasing it. 

What does a stormwater pond do?

Stormwater ponds do two important things:
1. Stormwater tends to move very fast. Stormwater ponds slow that flow to prevent flooding.
2. Stormwater eventually flows directly into rivers and streams and as it moves, it picks up trash, sediment, and other pollutants. Stormwater ponds help trap trash, sediment and debris so it stays out of the rivers and streams. 

Neglected ponds can become very pricey to rehabilitate, so it's best to regularly inspect and maintain them. It's not complicated, but it does require some planning. 

Preventing pollution

City ordinances require those responsible for ponds to do all they can to prevent pollutants from entering the pond.

Document Accessibility

Please know that while the city is working to make all information accessible, some information such as Excel files, plat maps, site plans for development projects, architectural plans, scanned handwritten documents and other highly visual materials provided by third parties outside of the city may not be accessible. If someone needs this material in an alternative format to fully access the information, please contact us at our webform or email us at [email protected] and let us know how best to assist you.

City Resources

City Municipal Code

Maintenance guidelines for stormwater ponds brochure

Colorado Stormwater Center Resources

CSCR has numerous helpful links, including:

Permanent Water Quality BMP Inspection and Maintenance Field Guide

Routine Extended Detention Basin Maintenance Video

Check out CSCR's additional resources for rain gardens, contract landscapers and more.