Catoosa County residents affected by stormwater runoff on Baggett Road will be happy to know that the County Commission is taking steps toward construction of a stormwater detention pond to help alleviate the issue.
The county is soliciting bids for the project, which will slow down some of the runoff that’s coming from Chambers Lane, according to Catoosa Stormwater Director James Davis. Slowing down the flow of water is expected to solve at least some of the issue.
“When we get large rain events, folks have had their driveways washed out, and the road department has to go out and repair them,” said Davis. “The amount of water that comes down during heavy rain has been an ongoing issue.”
A detention pond is different than a retention pond. While a retention pond stays wet and has fluctuating water levels depending on rain levels, detention ponds typically remain dry, only filling up with water during heavy precipitation. Detention ponds retain water for short periods of time, typically a day or two, allowing the ground to absorb excess precipitation slowly.
Detention ponds weren’t required in the 1980s when the subdivisions in the area were constructed, Davis said, adding that modern subdivisions don’t have these issues because construction companies legally have to address stormwater.