Water Retention

Water Retention Structures are an excellent way of managing water as it flows through a watershed.  They can be used in a number of ways and are especially proficient at partially managing high water events (i.e. spring runoff and large rain events). 

Water Retention Structures have typically been designed to accomplish one of three tasks:

1. Water Slowing Structure: A simple structure with an open pipe that regulates the flow at a more manageable rate.
2. Time Release Structure: A simple structure with a gated pipe that can be controlled to hold the water for a longer period of time or until downstream flooding concerns have passed.  This can also be beneficial to pasture land by providing back flood irrigation and can even stem development of several pest species.
3. Multi-use Structure:  This is also a simple structure with a gated pipe.  The difference is that a consistent water level is maintained behind the structure of this nature that can be used for watering cattle or irrigation purposes.  This dam will have two levels: 1) a summer time level that will allow for agricultural uses and 2) a lower winter level that will accommodate spring runoff to assist with water management further downstream.

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If you would like to see projects like this preformed in your community or if you would like more information, please contact LSRBCD.