A Review of Stormwater Management Pond Design within the Auckland Region

Stormwater management ponds are one of the most commonly used stormwater treatment options within the Auckland region. Ponds provide both quality treatment and quantity control of stormwater.

This paper presents the findings and recommendations from a review, commissioned by the Auckland Regional Council (now Auckland Council), into the design of stormwater management ponds within the Auckland region. It includes a literature review of current best practice and performance data, both internationally and within New Zealand.

The review focused on a number of issues that were identified in a gap analysis into pond design. These issues include updated performance data, the benefits of different ponds shapes and layouts, the inclusion of particle size and settling velocity distribution information for Auckland soils, and the performance of ponds that are not sized in accordance with design guidelines.

The review is currently undergoing international peer review and will be available later in the year as a Technical Report. The findings of the review will be incorporated in the next update to Stormwater Management Devices: Design Guidelines Manual, Technical Publication 10 (TP10).