The University of Virginia's Stormwater Management Site

storm water

John Paul Jones Arena Construction


The lack of vegetation on construction sites can result in large volumes of stormwater runoff. The high velocity of the water allows the water to easily erode sediment from the bare ground.

The stormwater retention pond seen in the foreground is one way project managers prevent sediment from leaving the construction site. The velocity of the water in the pond slows down enough to allow most of the suspended sediment to settle to the bottom. As the speed of the water decreases, the water loses it's ability to transport material and the sediments drop out. The water from the pond percolates through the rocks down to the outlet structure seen in the background. The large rocks in the dam prevent the dam from being washed out in periods of heavy rainfall when the pond may fill rapidly.

The water in this sediment retention pond is clearer than the water in the upper pond. Some sediment still enters the pond from areas which do not feed into the upper pond. During periods of heavy rainfall, some of the fine sediment may remain suspended in the water instead of settling out in the upper pond.

The fabric seen covering the stream banks in this picture is used to prevent erosion. The fabric is used in areas where vegetation cannot be used, either due to the nature of the location or the time of year that the construction is occurring.

Another stormwater retention pond is located at the east end of the John Paul Jones Arena. On the left side of the picture, large stones can be seen in front of an outfall, which empties into the pond. The stones prevent soil from being eroded from the banks as the water leaves the outfall and enters the pond.

A delta can be seen forming in a stormwater retention pond on the north side of the arena construction site. The delta forms as the velocity of the water slows as the water enters the pond. Large stones are in place to prevent the banks of the pond from being eroded where the stormwater enters the pond.

The sediment control pond on the north side of the construction site. Vegetation is used here to cover the banks to prevent sediment erosion.

Sediment control fences are used to prevent large amounts of sediment and debris from entering storm drains.
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