Stormwater Management Pond Design
Manage runoff, improve water quality, and enhance local biodiversity.
We design stormwater ponds using nature-based principles, integrating ecological design to create functional, sustainable habitats that mimic natural water cycles.
Function, beauty, and a thriving environment
When it comes to stormwater management plans, we integrate regulatory compliance, functionality, beauty, and ecological value. Our team also works on projects to restore degraded water bodies, improve habitat for local wildlife, and create educational installations.
Dougan Ecology’s 4 steps for watershed management:
SITE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS, including hydrological studies, and soil and vegetation evaluations.
DESIGN AND PLANNING, which integrates natural systems' functionality by incorporating wetland and vegetated swale features.
IMPLEMENTATION, including planting native vegetation and installation of created wildlife habitat elements to enhance biodiversity value and water quality.
MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE, including regular inspections and adaptive management, to ensure the vegetation is established successfully.
Dougan Ecology is guided by a deeply collaborative approach with clients and agencies.
Our expertise ensures compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, providing stormwater designs that meet legal requirements, promote sustainability, and ensure approvals.
We work closely with water resource engineers, working together to ensure that stormwater management not only controls runoff, but also enhances biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. We tailor our designs to the unique needs of the site.
We create ecologically-sound hydrological designs.
From stormwater management and pond design, to erosion control and habitat restoration, our multidisciplinary team is ready to work with you.
Frequently asked questions about stormwater management
A stormwater management facility captures and treats runoff from urban areas. These ponds are engineered to manage water quantity and quality by detaining stormwater, allowing sediments to settle, and promoting infiltration. They help mitigate flooding, reduce erosion, and enhance local biodiversity. Dougan Ecology integrates ecological design principles to create ponds that mimic natural water cycles and support wildlife habitats.
There are wet ponds, dry ponds, and hybrid systems. Wet ponds maintain a permanent pool of water, providing continuous treatment and habitat. Dry ponds temporarily store water and release it slowly, reducing peak flows. Hybrid systems combine elements of both, offering flexibility and enhanced treatment. Dougan Ecology tailors designs to complement site-specific conditions and meet regulatory requirements.
Vegetation stabilizes pond banks, filters pollutants, and provides habitat. Native plants along pond edges and within vegetated swales trap sediments, absorb nutrients, and reduce erosion. They also provide shelter and food for wildlife. Dougan Ecology selects appropriate plant species to ensure ecological functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing co-benefits to an engineering solution.
Littoral zones are shallow, vegetated areas along pond edges. These zones support aquatic plants that stabilize banks, filter pollutants, and provide habitat. They also enhance the aesthetic value of the pond. Dougan Ecology designs littoral zones to maximize ecological benefits and integrate seamlessly with surrounding landscapes.
Pond designs must comply with the Ontario Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual. This manual outlines criteria for water quality, quantity, erosion control, and thermal impacts. It also provides guidelines for pond sizing, outlet design, and maintenance. Ecological consultants and landscape designers with the right expertise, such as Dougan Ecology, can ensure regulations are met or exceeded.
To get started with a stormwater pond project, contact Dougan Ecology to discuss your project needs. Our team will conduct a site assessment, work with an engineer to develop a design plan, and guide you through the permitting and implementation processes. We collaborate closely with clients and agencies to ensure successful project outcomes.
