Stormwater ponds were originally intended to manage localized flooding; however, over the past decade, they have been increasingly expected to (or in some states required to) address water-quality concerns for receiving waters, including the removal of pollutants (nutrients, bacteria, inorganic and organic contaminants, and sediment).
In addition, stormwater ponds are often used for recreation (e.g., boating or fishing), to enhance aesthetics or to increase residential property value, and to provide wildlife habitat even where their intent was strictly for stormwater management. They also provide a source of fill material for site construction in low-lying coastal areas that would otherwise raise development costs.
