Retention and Detention Ponds in Miami, FL

Who This Service Is For

Retention and detention pond services in Miami-Dade County are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, commercial property owners, and anyone developing properties that require stormwater management systems in Miami-Dade County.

Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Doral, commercial complex in Aventura, or any property requiring stormwater management in Coral Gables, retention and detention ponds are often required by regulatory agencies. We coordinate licensed contractors with heavy equipment to excavate and construct stormwater ponds that meet Miami-Dade County and SFWMD regulatory requirements, including the 25-year, 3-day storm event design criteria and Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) standards.

Miami-Dade County Pond Construction Considerations

Retention and detention pond construction in Miami-Dade County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• 25-Year, 3-Day Storm Event Design Criteria: Miami-Dade County requires that developers design stormwater systems for the 25-year, 3-day storm event, representing the minimum design standard for stormwater management infrastructure. Retention and detention ponds must be sized to handle this design storm, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates. This requirement was implemented as part of the revised ordinance effective March 31, 2025.
• Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) and Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS):Miami-Dade County has established FPLOS and WQLOS components within its stormwater management standards. Ponds must meet both flood protection and water quality requirements, ensuring proper stormwater treatment and flood control. Design must account for both components to achieve compliance.
• On-Site Stormwater Retention: Miami-Dade County requires that all private and public sites handle their own drainage and retain their own stormwater on-site. This means retention and detention ponds must be designed to manage stormwater from the development site, preventing runoff onto neighboring properties and meeting on-site retention requirements.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Pond construction typically requires SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance and stormwater management. Permits ensure compliance with water management district requirements and may require specific design features. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
• DERM Permits and Environmental Protection: Projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24 must obtain DERM Plan Review Approval. DERM Class V Permits may be required for dewatering during excavation. DERM also requires proper erosion control and environmental protection measures, especially for ponds near waterways or in coastal areas.
• High Water Table and Dewatering: Miami-Dade's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects pond excavation depth and may require dewatering systems. Water table conditions determine pond design and may affect retention pond water levels. DERM Class V Permits are required for temporary dewatering to ensure that sediment, turbidity, and contaminants are removed before discharge.
• Stormwater System Recertification: Miami-Dade County requires existing stormwater systems to undergo recertification within the first three years following implementation of the revised ordinance (by March 31, 2028 for systems existing as of March 31, 2025). This ensures ongoing compliance with stormwater management standards.
• Impervious Surface Regulations: Homeowners and developers must obtain permits for paving and impervious surfaces to ensure that projects use materials allowing proper stormwater drainage within the property and prevent runoff onto neighboring properties. Pond design must account for impervious surface area in the watershed.

The Pond Construction Process in Miami-Dade County

Our coordinated approach ensures your retention or detention pond is constructed properly and meets all Miami-Dade County regulatory requirements:

1. Engineering Design Review: We review engineering designs to understand pond dimensions, depths, and overflow structures specific to Miami-Dade County's 25-year, 3-day storm event design criteria and FPLOS/WQLOS requirements. Design review ensures excavation meets exact requirements for stormwater management and regulatory compliance.
2. Miami-Dade Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance and stormwater management, DERM Plan Review Approval (for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24), DERM Class V Permits for dewatering if required, RER building permits, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. 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, dewatering systems) and experience for pond excavation and construction in Miami-Dade County, including expertise with high water table conditions, coastal soils, and regulatory compliance.
4. Dewatering Setup: For pond excavations requiring dewatering, contractors set up dewatering systems in compliance with DERM Class V Permit requirements, ensuring sediment, turbidity, and contaminants are removed before discharge. This is especially important given Miami-Dade's high water table.
5. Pond Excavation: Contractors perform excavation to exact depths and dimensions, creating proper storage volumes for the 25-year, 3-day storm event. Excavation establishes pond shape and prepares areas for overflow structure installation, accounting for Miami-Dade's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
6. Slope Construction: Pond banks are graded to proper slopes (typically 3:1 or 4:1) to ensure stability and prevent erosion, meeting Miami-Dade County and DERM requirements. Slope construction meets engineering specifications and regulatory requirements, especially important given Miami-Dade's heavy rainfall and hurricane conditions.
7. Overflow Structure Installation: Overflow structures including weirs, risers, and outfall pipes are installed to control water levels and discharge rates, sized for the 25-year, 3-day storm event. Structures ensure proper stormwater management and prevent pond overflow, meeting FPLOS and WQLOS standards.
8. Erosion Control and Final Inspection: Erosion control measures are installed meeting Miami-Dade DERM requirements, and final inspections ensure ponds meet regulatory requirements including FPLOS and WQLOS standards. Ponds are ready for operation after final approval, with recertification required within three years.

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