Retention and Detention Basins in Florida Keys, FL

Who This Service Is For

Retention and detention basin services in Monroe County, Florida Keys are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, commercial property owners, and anyone developing properties that require stormwater management systems in the Florida Keys.

Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Key Largo, commercial complex in Key West, or any property requiring stormwater management in Marathon or Islamorada, retention and detention basins are often required by regulatory agencies. We coordinate contractors with heavy equipment and specialized rock excavation expertise to design and construct basins that meet Monroe County drainage requirements, strict environmental regulations, SFWMD compliance, stormwater management requirements, and environmental protection standards protecting the sensitive Keys ecosystem.

Monroe County, Florida Keys Basin Construction Considerations

Retention and detention basin construction in Monroe County, Florida Keys requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and strict regulatory requirements:

• Strict Environmental Regulations: Monroe County and the Florida Keys have some of the strictest environmental regulations in Florida to protect sensitive ecosystems. Retention and detention basin construction must comply with comprehensive environmental protection requirements, including protection of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. All operations must be conducted with full environmental compliance.
• On-Site Stormwater Retention: Monroe County requires that all private and public sites handle their own drainage and retain their own stormwater on-site. Retention and detention basins must be sized to handle stormwater management requirements, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates to meet environmental protection standards, with special attention to flood zone compliance and storm surge protection.
• Monroe County Building Department Permits: Retention and detention basin construction requires building permits from Monroe County Building Department. Projects may require environmental resource permits for work affecting sensitive areas. All construction is subject to inspection by the governing body.
• Extremely High Water Table: The Florida Keys have an extremely high water table, often at or near the surface, which affects basin excavation depth and may require dewatering systems. Water table conditions determine basin design and may affect retention basin water levels, especially throughout Monroe County where the water table is particularly high.
• Coral Rock and Limestone Bedrock: The Florida Keys feature unique coral rock and limestone bedrock that requires specialized excavation techniques. Basin construction must account for bedrock conditions and may require specialized methods for rock removal.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Basin construction typically requires SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance, coral rock excavation, and stormwater management. Most complete ERP applications take 60-90 days to process, though projects located in sensitive basins may require longer review periods. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits, ensuring compliance with strict Keys environmental regulations.
• Flood Zone Compliance: Most properties in Monroe County, Florida Keys are in flood zones (AE, VE, AH, AO) and basins must comply with FEMA requirements and Monroe County building codes. Basins must be designed to function during flood events and prevent flooding, with proper elevation to meet Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements where applicable, with strict limitations on fill import.
• Storm Surge Protection: Coastal properties in Monroe County, Florida Keys face additional challenges including storm surge, saltwater intrusion, and unique soil and bedrock conditions that affect basin design and materials. Specialized basin solutions are required for coastal properties, with consideration for environmental restrictions.

The Basin Construction Process in Monroe County, Florida Keys

Our coordinated approach ensures your retention or detention basin is constructed properly and meets all Monroe County, Florida Keys regulatory requirements:

1. Engineering Design: We coordinate with engineers to design retention and detention basins that meet Monroe County, Florida Keys drainage requirements, stormwater management requirements, coral rock characteristics, and regulatory standards including environmental protection. Design determines basin dimensions, depths, storage volumes, and overflow structures, with priority on on-site retention and environmental protection protecting the sensitive Keys ecosystem.
2. Monroe County Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including Monroe County Building Department permits, environmental resource permits for work affecting sensitive areas, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance, coral rock excavation, and stormwater management (60-90 day processing time), and coordinate with regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with strict Keys environmental regulations. Permits ensure compliance with stormwater management requirements.
3. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, compactors), specialized rock excavation expertise, and experience for basin excavation and construction in Monroe County, Florida Keys, including expertise with extremely high water table conditions, coral rock excavation, bedrock characteristics, and strict environmental regulations.
4. Coral Rock Excavation and Basin Excavation: Contractors perform specialized coral rock excavation where needed, followed by excavation to exact depths and dimensions, creating proper storage volumes, with proper dewatering systems where required due to Monroe County's extremely high water table. Excavation establishes basin shape and prepares areas for overflow structure installation, meeting county requirements and environmental restrictions.
5. Slope Construction: Basin banks are graded to proper slopes (typically 3:1 or 4:1) to ensure stability and prevent erosion, meeting Monroe County requirements and environmental protection standards. Slope construction meets engineering specifications and regulatory requirements, with consideration for bedrock conditions.
6. Overflow Structure Installation: Overflow structures including weirs, risers, and outfall pipes are installed to control water levels and discharge rates, sized for stormwater management requirements and meeting environmental protection standards. Structures ensure proper stormwater management and prevent basin overflow, with priority on on-site retention and environmental protection protecting the sensitive Keys ecosystem.
7. Erosion Control and Final Inspection: Erosion control measures including native vegetation are installed, and final inspections with SFWMD and Monroe County Building Department ensure basins meet regulatory requirements. Basins are ready for operation after final approval, with full environmental compliance protecting the sensitive Keys ecosystem.

← View Retention and Detention Basins (All Areas) | ← Back to Florida Keys Drainage Services